2 dead, 5 hurt in C-5 Road crash

MANILA, Philippines - A businessman and a welder were killed while five others were injured when a Toyota Fortuner collided with a Mitsubishi Pajero along C-5 Road in Pasig City Saturday.

Sonny Cristobal, 45, and welder Crisanto Boseo, 32, died on the scene.  

Police said Mary Claire Faune, 35, driver of the Fortuner; her husband Jessie Faune Jr. 35; daughter Sandra Yvon, 16; Wilson Cristobal, 48, driver of the Pajero; and Melquiades Saringan were taken to the Medical City Hospital, where Wilson was reported to be in critical condition.

Superintendent Cipriano Galanida, officer-in-charge of the Pasig City police, said the Fortuner was bound for Quezon City while the Pajero was going toward Makati City.

The Faune family, who reside in Le Mirage de Malate Condominium in Manila, were in the newly bought Fortuner with conduction sticker YF-8451.

Galanida said the Pajero developed engine trouble and hit a lamppost at the center island at the Ortigas Flyover along C-5 Road at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Because of the impact, the Pajero swerved to the northbound lane and hit the Faunes’ Fortuner, Senior Police Officer 2 Carlito Guillarte said.

According to Guillarte, Sonny was pinned in the Pajero while Boseo was thrown from the vehicle.

There are reports that several empty broken liquor bottles were found in the Pajero but Guillarte said “he has not seen them.”

Guillarte filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide and physical injuries and damage to private and government property against the drivers of the two vehicles with the Pasig City prosecutor’s office.

 “It’s now up to the courts to decide who is guilty between the two drivers,” the traffic investigator told The STAR.