3 nurses dead as SUV crushes van

MANILA, Philippines–Three nurses died after their van was crushed by a sport utility vehicle which crossed over to their side of the road on the C-5 Flyover in Barangay (village) Ugong, Pasig City at 2:20 a.m. on Monday.

PO3 Cristino Silayan identified the victims as Lyn Pascua, Rose Ann Azucena Oquendo and Janine Ray Manzanida, all nurses at Salve Regina Hospital in Pasig City. They were on their way home with colleagues Jacklyn Mae Terrado and Bubbles Lapu-os who were also injured.

Silayan said the victims were in a Toyota Innova driven by Ryan Lester Yadao on the northbound lane while Luis Asistio III’s Mitsubishi Montero Sport was traveling southward when the SUV slammed into the center island, flew into the air and landed on the van on the opposite lane.

Pascua, 39, and Oquendo, 23, were pronounced dead on arrival at The Medical City (TMC) while Manzanida died at Rizal Medical Center (RMC).

Terrado, Lapu-os and Yadao received treatment for head injuries at TMC while Asistio was recuperating at RMC.

The police said that Asistio would be tested for alcohol after rescuers reportedly found liquor bottles in his vehicle.–Jovic Yee