DAVAO CITY — At least 13 persons, mostly workers, were killed and four were injured when a van rammed into a 10-wheeler truck in Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on Sunday.
Police Regional Office 11 (Davao region) spokesperson Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz said based on the report of the Davao del Sur Police, the accident took place at the national highway of Sitio Lantawan, Barangay Astorga involving a 10-wheeler truck driven by Theodoro Batiocan.
The fatalities were identified as Jonathan Dadong, Nina Itchon, Jayson Tusan, Recmar Bautista, Maria Fe Regino, Roy Plenos Itchon, Joel Cedeno, Durson Adlog, Rannie Cabal, Alfredo Beringuel, Vicente Sanico, and an unidentified male person. Ron Gie Rada, the 13th fatality, was declared dead on arrival at the Digos Provincial Hospital.
The injured victims who were brought to the Digos Provincial Hospital were identified as Efren Presores, driver of the utility van, Abenjie Lumanta, Ariel Entero Cana, and Aixa Puna.
Driz said the van was northbound going to Davao City when the driver was reportedly speeding at the curve, causing him to overshoot his lane and hit the truck, which was heading towards the poblacion area in Sta Cruz.
Based on initial investigations, Driz said 12 persons were confirmed dead on the spot.
The driver of the truck was brought to the Sta. Cruz Municipal Police Station while the driver of the van was brought to the hospital. (Armando Fenequito, Jr./PNA)
