3 dead, 9 hurt as driver falls asleep, hits 2 vehicles in North Cotabato

MATALAM, NORTH COTABATO—Three persons were killed while nine others were hurt in a three-vehicle smash-up when one of the drivers fell asleep at the wheel along the national highway here Monday afternoon.

“The Toyota Hi-Lux driver falls asleep at the wheel,” said Police Chief Inspector Bryan Placer, Matalam town police chief, referring to Ridznul Tandih, 34, who was driving the Toyota Hi-Lux from Zamboanga heading to Davao, when it crashed into a tricycle and a Kia Bongo from Matalam heading to Kabacan town at 1:45 p.m. in Barangay Kilada, Matalam.

Placer said the driver, who hailed from Zamboanga City, suffered minor bruises after the crash.

But killed due to head and body injuries were Edilbert Dumpit Gawat, 40, Veronica Dumpit Gawat, 76, both residents of Barangay Banawag, Kabacan, North Cotabato and Yhaser Kinala, 15, a resident of Barangay Matilac, Pigcawayan North Cotabato.

Placer said the Toyota Hi-Lux first hit the tricycle and then the Kia Bongo double cab vehicle. Both four-wheeled vehicles sit on their sides beside the highway following the accident.

Placer said Tandih and his companions left Zamboanga at 1:30 a.m. bound for Davao City.

He is now under police custody facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Injured in the crash were Charlene Gawat, 36, of Barangay Banawag, Kabacan; Hasim Kidi Kinala, 24; Esmael Mohammed, 21; and Haron Kinala, 19; all residents of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato and Zamboanga City residents Salip Allahibar, 46; Randy Misil, 36; Bakil Jundan 45; and Salip Hieber, 33./lzb