7 dead in Ilocos, Abra, Vizcaya road mishaps

Seven people were killed in separate road accidents in Ilocos Sur and Abra and Nueva Vizcaya on Tuesday.

A police manhunt is on for Leonardo Batoon, 33, who fled after the  jeepney he was driving rolled over in Barangay Bila-bila, Sallapadan, Abra killing Casey Sawadan, 32.

The jeepney’s brake malfunctioned along a downhill curve, said Sallapadan police chief Senior Insp. Edgar Dangioan.

Sawadan, who was on the rooftop, was thrown off and pinned by the vehicle.

Six of the 20 passengers were brought to the Abra Provincial Hospital.

In Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, Martin Pol, a German, and Rowena Pena died when the van they were riding rammed the arch marking the boundary of Sta. Maria and Narvacan towns.

Pena’s husband and driver of the van, Nemeline, and another passenger, JaypeeTiongco, were injured.

In Sta. Lucia town, ElpidioTugade Jr. died when his motorcycle hit a passenger bus along the national highway in Barangay Burgos.

The bus driver, Rodolfo Umutoy, a resident of Paoay, Ilocos Sur, surrendered.   

In Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, three persons died when their motorcycle collided with a truck here Feb. 6.

Romar Gapasin, 20; Jaycer Bucad, 20, and Mark Erwin Gabot, 21, died at the scene, said Senior Supt. John Lug-lug, police provincial director.

Reports said the victims were traveling in Barangay Darapidap when their motorcycle slammed into an Isuzu truck (PSA-793) driven by Webster Castro, 35. Police said the three tried to overtake a tricycle.

Castro was held by the Aritao police. – With a report from Victor Martin