4 dead, 1 hurt in highway mishap in Quezon

LUCENA CITY –– Four motorists died and one was seriously injured in a vehicular collision along the Maharlika Highway in Gumaca town in Quezon province early Friday, police said.

Major Rodelio Calawit, Gumaca police chief, identified the fatalities as Joseph Dumlao, 33 (driver); Rozalie, 35; Raquel, 42; and Rodolfo, 70, all surnamed Soldevilla, and residents of Tabuk City in Kalinga province.

A report said the victims were aboard a Manila-bound Mitsubishi Mirage that collided with an oncoming cargo truck driven by William Pelareja in Barangay Panikihan around 4:30 a.m.

All five car passengers were taken to the Gumaca District Hospital, but four of them died along the way.

The other car passenger Roxanne Soldevilla, 25, suffered serious injuries and was confined at the said hospital.

The truck driver was unharmed.

Investigation revealed the car occupied the opposite lane that led to the accident./lzb