2 die, 16 hurt in NLEX accident

MALOLOS, Philippines – Two persons were killed and 16 others were injured when a UV Express van collided with a six-wheeler Isuzu cargo van on the northbound lane near Tabang exit of the North Luzon Expressway on Tuesday.

Angel Michaela Dela Cruz, 18, a resident of Barangay Mojon in Malolos, was declared dead on arrival at the Bulacan Medical Center, where most of the injured were also brought, while Yolanda Tan died while being treated at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila.

Chief Inspector Voltaire Rivera, Balagtas police chief, said the accident occurred around 1 p.m. when Ali Cruz, driving a UV Express van (UVA-707), tried to overtake a bus.

In San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, a police officer died and two others were injured when their motorcycle rammed into a cargo truck along Maharlika highway in Barangay Castallano. 

Police Officer 1 Norwel Venancio, 29, a resident of Sta. Cruz, Manila, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gonzales General Hospital in Cabanatuan City, where PO1 Rachelle Carugda, 24, and PO1 Tifany dela Cruz, 21, were confined for serious injuries. All three were assigned to the Jaen police station. 

Senior Superintendent Manuel Cornel, Nueva Ecija police officer-in-charge, said the victims were traveling north when they were hit by an Isuzu truck (CSU-855) being driven by Librado Ariola, 23, a resident of Barangay Diarabasin in Dipaculao, Aurora. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Manny Galvez