LUCENA CITY –– Three motorcycle riders died Wednesday after a wayward pick-up truck rammed two motorcycles along the Maharlika Highway in Pagbilao in Quezon province.
The Pagbilao police reported Thursday that a Manila-bound Ford Ranger driven by Florante Tubal went out of control after its left front tire exploded while negotiating a curved section of the highway in Barangay Ibabang Palsabangon at 7:47 p.m.
The wayward vehicle consequently occupied the opposite lane and hit two oncoming motorcycles.
Motorcycle driver Rodolfo Gimotao, 69, died on the spot from fatal injuries, while his pillion rider, wife Milania, 52, died while being taken to the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena.
Ruel Gimotao, the driver of the other motorcycle, died while being treated in another hospital in Lucena.
Tubal was detained at the local police jail and is facing charges for the deaths of the victims.