4 killed, 7 hurt as overloaded tricycle collides with van carrying cadaver

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Four persons, including a 4-year-old girl and a pregnant woman, were killed while seven were wounded when an overloaded tricycle collided with a van carrying a corpse in Sipalay City Wednesday afternoon.

Police Officer 3 Glyn Galilea, Sipalay City police traffic division chief, said the tricycle carrying nine people ran over a pothole in Barangay (village) Gil Montilla, then slammed into the van owned by the Sipalay City government.

The van, which was transporting a cadaver from Bacolod City, fell on its side, Galilea added.

Killed on the spot were tricycle passengers Janet Fiel, 25; her daughter Samantha, 4; and teacher Judy Estelita, 33, of San Jose, Sipalay City. Keff Darryn Jayupelin, 16, died on the way to the Cauayan District Hospital.

Fiel, who was reportedly pregnant, had just come from the Sipalay City proper where she chatted online with her husband, who works on a boat.

Estelita, on the other hand, was set to celebrate her first wedding anniversary on July 24.

The injured were identified as tricycle driver Lorenzo Balaghay Jr., 21; and his passengers Ken Barcelona, 13; Jessica Colingo, 18; Cedrick Palma, 8; and Carlos Lavo, 38.

The injured van passengers were Susan Loquinario, 35; and Precil Parajeto, 37.

The driver of the van, Alexander Garfil, was detained at the Sipalay police station.