3 motorcycle riders die in Quezon road mishap

LUCENA CITY – Three motorcycle riders were killed in a road accident along the Maharlika Highway in Tayabas City, Quezon on Friday night, police said.

Tayabas police identified the victims as motorcycle driver Efren Alvarez and passengers Richard Alvarez and Vedasko Pornasdoro.

Police said the three were about to cross the highway going to Lucena City when they were hit by an oncoming government-owned Isuzu Hilux pick-up being driven by Faustino Mark Anthony de la Cruz in Barangay (village) Isabang at around 9:45 p.m.

The victims sustained serious injuries and were separately taken by rescuers to the Quezon Medical Center and Lucena United Doctors Hospital, both in Lucena City, but they died along the way, police said. According to police, the victims were not wearing crash helmets.

Police also reported that De la Cruz was “under the influence of liquor” when the incident happened.

The pick-up that Dela Cruz was driving was registered to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Lucena City. Police later confirmed that Dela Cruz was working at the DPWH as a project engineer.

Dela Cruz is now detained at the Tayabas City police headquarters as criminal charges are being readied against him.  /muf