3 killed as tricycle, van collide in Dagupan highway

DAGUPAN CITY — A tricycle driver and two of his passengers were killed while three others were injured Sunday afternoon after the tricycle collided with a van here, police said Monday.

Tricycle driver Michael Reyes, 32, died on the spot while Karen Viliran, 28, and her son Wendy De Leon, 5, died while they were being taken to the Region 1 Medical Center here. Injured were Viliran’s partner, Wendel De Leon, 37, and their two children Felecia Karek De Leon, 7, and Hanifa De Leon, 1.

Police said the tricycle was overtaking another vehicle on the southbound lane of the De Venecia Highway at Barangay Lucao here around 5:45 p.m. when it collided with the approaching van. The tricycle was crumpled after the impact.

Police also said van driver Romeo Bugaoan, 53, is facing a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, serious physical injury, and damage to property. /kga