GENERAL TINIO, Nueva Ecija—Three persons, including a three-year old boy, died while 14 others were injured when a 6×6 truck turned turtle on rough road in the mountainous village of Pias here Monday.
Senior Inspector Adriano Gabriel, town police chief, identified the fatalities as: Mandy Caballero, 3; Mercedita Terejal, 42; and Ramona Reyes, 80, all residents of the said village.
The wounded were brought to different hospitals, Gabriel said.
Investigation showed the truck without plate number, driven by Joel Francia, 30, of Barangay Rio Chico here, was loaded with some 20 people bound for Sitio Cunacon, Pias to participate in the reading of the Passion of Christ when the accident happened.
Francia said he was driving through a high slope when the vehicle encountered mechanical problem.
Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries are being prepared against Francia, who is now detained at the town police jail facility.
Francia sought forgiveness from the victims. (Marilyn Galang/PNA)
