4 dead, 1 hurt as van crashes into ‘kuliglig’ in Isabela

TUMAUINI, ISABELA — Four people were killed after the tractor-drawn trailer (“kuliglig”) they were riding was hit by a speeding passenger van along the national highway in Barangay Liwanag here at 9:20 a.m. on Thursday.

Senior Insp. Frances Littaua, Isabela police spokesperson, identified the fatalities as Jaime Infiel, 63, Catalina Cabasi, 57, Mila Barbieto, 59, and Christine Barbieto, 3, all of Lalauanan village here.

Investigators said the victims died while being taken to the Isabela Provincial Hospital in Ilagan City.

The driver of the kuliglig survived with bruises and contusions, police said.

Initial investigation said the passenger van driven by Michael Cariño, 29, of Abulug, Cagayan was speeding while moving south when it rammed the kuliglig on the opposite lane.

Due to the impact, the kuliglig passengers were thrown from their vehicle and were ran over by the van, police said.

Cariño is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries./lzb