2 dead, 12 injured as jeep hits truck

MANILA, Philippines - Two persons were killed while 12 others were wounded when a passenger jeepney rear-ended a trailer truck at the boundary of Valenzuela City in North Luzon Expressway Wednesday morning, police said yesterday.

Valenzuela police chief Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento said Maridel Sarmiento died on the spot while Susana Martinito was pronounced dead on arrival at the Sta. Clara Hospital.

Armamento said the jeepney’s brakes failed as driver Diego Herongay – who plies the Sta. Maria-Monumento route – was negotiating the expressway’s northbound lane at around 5 a.m. yesterday.

The jeepney hit the truck driven by Nicasio Gammad and ended up at the road’s shoulder.

Herongay’s passengers were taken to different hospitals while he and Gammad were brought to the police station and charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, Armamento said.