5 dead, 4 hurt in Quezon vehicular collision

LUCENA CITY — Three family members and two others died after two vehicles collided along the Maharlika Highway in Gumaca town in Quezon province early Saturday, police said.

Police said four other motorists were injured including one in critical condition.

The fatalities who died on the spot were identified as Jimmy Bron, 42; his wife Razel and son JM, and Emmanuel Junel Sagrit, Gumaca police chief, Major Rodelio Calawit said in a report.

Francisco Joel Butardo died while being taken to Gumaca District Hospital at the town center.

The police report said Jimmy was driving his Tamaraw FX with eight passengers when the vehicle collided with an incoming Manila-bound cargo truck being driven by Gerome Villar along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bamban around 5:45 a.m.

The other passengers of Tamaraw FX – Fritcie Joyce Butardo, Fatima Jade Butardo, Eda Butardo and Ulpiano Clores – suffered injuries and were taken to the same hospital.

In a phone interview, Patrolman Alejandro Veluz Jr., Gumaca police investigator, said Clores remained in critical condition.

Citing initial investigation, the report said the truck driver tried but failed to evade the Tamaraw FX that was allegedly occupying the opposite lane before the collision.

“Further investigation revealed that the driver of Tamaraw FX (Jimmy Bron) fell asleep,” the report said in an explanation of what caused the collision./lzb