2 dead, 15 hurt as truck hits jeepney in QC

MANILA,Philippines — Two passengers were killed while 15 others were injured after a cargo truck struck the right side of a jeepney in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, early on Wednesday.

According to a report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Traffic Enforcement Unit, the truck driver, Herjun Panero, 31, was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with multiple homicide and physical injuries. He was placed under the custody of the traffic unit.

The fatalities were Jay Rufino Pamplina, a fast food worker, and Mark Bernardo, a 20-year-old who was also listed in the report as a service worker.

Both Panero and the jeepney driver, Lewelyn Jaud, 50, were injured in the collision.

Jaud told the police that at 12:45 a.m., he was making a U-turn on Mindanao Avenue, heading toward Quirino Highway, when the front of the truck “strongly hit” the jeepney.

Aside from Jaud and Panero, 13 passengers were injured and taken to Quezon City General Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center for treatment.

Pamplina and Bernardo were declared dead on arrival.