1 dead, 8 hurt as cement mixer hits jeepney

MANILA, Philippines - A college student was killed while eight others were hurt when a cement mixer with failing brakes turned over and hit a jeepney along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Sienna College student Marrie Cherrie Inzon, 20, was rushed by rescue workers to the Sta. Teresita Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Senior Police Officer 4 Reynaldo Layug, commander of the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Sector 1, said Reynaldo Guarte, 34, was driving a cement mixer along the southbound lane of Araneta Avenue at around 8 a.m. when he found the brakes were not functioning.

After passing Del Monte Avenue, he saw a digging by water concessionaire Maynilad and decided to drive the truck through it to stop the runaway vehicle.

At the time of the accident, jeepney driver Romeo Canedo, 33, had stopped to pick up passengers near the digging. When the truck hit the excavation, it flipped over and hit the jeepney. The mixer pinned Inzon, who was standing beside the jeepney along with three others who were waiting for a ride.

Investigator Police Officer 1 Nordy Morcede said Inzon was with three other pedestrians who were also hurt. He said the injured pedestrians were taken to St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital. Canedo and three passengers were treated at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Layug said Guarte surrendered himself following the incident.