Jeepney rams tricycle; 5 dead, 9 injured

SAN PABLO CITY — Five people were killed and nine others, including a former Laguna vice mayor, were injured when a passenger jeepney smashed into a tricycle, turned turtle and then plowed through a group of bystanders here Thursday night, police said.

Police said the jeepney, driven by Raul Mendoza, 33, was running at high speed when it rammed the tricycle, driven by Arnel Dorado, 33, at about 8:30 p.m. along the national highway in Barangay Sta. Maria Magdalena.

Because of the impact, the jeepney turned upside down, struck the Mitsubishi Lancer of Joseph Brion, 39, former vice mayor of Calauan, Laguna, and then plowed through the people on the roadside.

Dorado was killed in the mishap, along with Riza Hernandez, 23; Lovella Villalon, 15; Carmela Aquino, 23; and Conrado Cartabio, 77, all residents of this city.

Besides Mendoza and Brion, injured were Patrice Villalon, 5; Arabella Villalon, 2; Lydia Flores, 32; Lilybeth de la Cruz, 34; Francisco Espiritu, 33; John Espiritu, 33; and Justin de la Cruz, 3.

Police are readying charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against Mendoza, who remains in critical condition at the San Pablo District Hospital.