Death toll in truck mishap rises to 3

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll in the traffic accident involving a wayward 10-wheeler truck and four other vehicles in Marikina City last Tuesday rose to three yesterday after one of the 14 injured died in a hospital.

Antonio Montenegro Jr., 39, a jeepney terminal barker, died of his injuries at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center at 8:10 p.m. Thursday.

The truck driver, Fernando Gemira, 43, who sustained massive injuries in both feet, remained in the hospital.

Earlier, Ediso Jan Reyes, an engineering student at the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP); and Domingo Salvador Jr., a back rider of a motorcycle, died at the scene due to massive head and body injuries.

Gemira was driving the truck (RHW-112) along a downward portion of A. Bonifacio Avenue when its brakes failed.

The truck hit the back of the passenger jeepney, with Reyes as one of its passengers, before smashing two L-300 vans and a motorcycle.

Because of the death of Montenegro, Eastern Police District director Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias ordered the cases against Gemira amended to three counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.