7 killed in road mishaps in La Union, Pangasinan

By Dexter A. See

LABRADOR, Pangasinan – Seven people were killed in separate vehicular accidents in different parts of Pangasinan and La Union provinces last week, police reported.

In Barangay Dawis here, four people, including a 12-year-old girl, died after their tricycle collided head-on with a mini-bus on the national highway Monday afternoon.

A report from Labrador town police identified the fatalities as Isidro Tandoc Jr., 53; his wife Gina, 53; and their daughter Susaine, 12, all residents of Barangay Magsaysay, Alaminos City, Pangasinan; and a certain Merly Valenzuela.

Initial police investigation showed the victims were on board a tricycle driven by Isidro while on their way to a fiesta in the town when their vehicle collided with the oncoming mini-bus.

The impact of the collision totally wrecked the tricycle and caused near-instant death of its occupants.

The bus driver is now the subject of a manhunt operation after fleeing the scene.

In Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union, two people died after their motorcycle also collided head-on with a northbound commuter bus on the national highway Tuesday morning.

Supt. Pedro Obaldo Jr., city police chief, identified the fatalities as Kelvin Ryan Cruz, 23, a resident of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and Alexander Pandoc, 23, a resident of Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Traffic probers said the victims were on board a motorcycle driven by Cruz when the oncoming bus driven by Winston Javier Baros, 28, a native of San Quintin, Abra, veered into their lane and rammed them.

The collision killed the victims instantly and Baros surrendered to police.

He is now charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property.

In Barangay Palarong Norte, Bangar, La Union, a 30-year-old man died when his body slammed against the concrete pavement in a self-accident after losing control of his motorcycle before dawn Tuesday.

Joseph Lopez, 30, married and a resident of Palarong Norte, Bangar, La Union, died from multiple injuries from the accident. Police said he reeked of liquor.