2 killed, 14 hurt in smashup

MANILA, Philippines - Two men, including an engineering student, were killed and 14 others were injured when a 10-wheeler truck lost its brakes and rammed four vehicles in Marikina City yesterday.

Ediso Jan Reyes, an engineering student of the Technological Institute of the Philippines, and Domingo Salvador Jr. died at the scene from massive head and body injuries.

Police said Reyes was thrown off the passenger jeepney he was riding.

Those injured, including truck driver Fernando Gemira, 43, were taken to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Reports reaching the Eastern Police District showed that Gemira’s truck (RHW 112) lost its brakes while traversing A. Bonifacio Avenue at past 11 a.m.

To avoid a big number of vehicles, Gemira decided to enter a no entry lane for trucks on the other side of the road but crashed into two L-300 vans, a passenger jeepney and a motorcycle.

Gemira’s feet were pinned under the dashboard, prompting enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to use hydraulic equipment to pull him out of the vehicle.

The accident caused heavy traffic in Barangay Barangka.

EPD director Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias was checking reports that among those injured was Argie Reola, an assistant director of GMA-7 noontime show “Sunday Pinasaya,” and his three staff who were with him in one of the vans.

Jamias ordered the filing of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries and damage to property against Gemira.

In Caloocan City, a truck driver was arrested after he figured in hit-and-run incident that killed a 31-year-old woman early yesterday morning.

Police said Danilo Alvarado, 33, was caught shortly after he hit Vanessa Salundagit at around 3:30 a.m.

Bystanders rushed Salundagit to the Caloocan City Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Instead of helping the victim, Alvarado  fled toward MacArthur Highway in Barangay Potrero, Malabon.

Unknown to him, a barangay watchman saw the accident and asked the help of Malabon policemen manning a checkpoint along MacArthur Highway.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide will be filed against Alvarado. – With Rey Galupo