Man dead, driver hurt in car explosion in Isabela

CAR BLAST. A male passenger died while the driver of this car was critically injured after the vehicle exploded on a rice field in Echague, Isabela on Saturday afternoon. Police said the driver was drunk and he tried to overtake another car on the road when the vehicle’s front tire burst, causing him to lose control. Photo from Echague PNP

ECHAGUE, Isabela — A 24-year-old male passenger died on the spot while the driver was critically injured when the car they were in exploded after ramming a concrete barrier and falling onto a rice field in this town on Saturday, June 11, police said on Sunday.

Wilson Alambay, 24, resident of Barangay (village) Babaran, died immediately while sedan car driver Rogelio Daria, 43, of Barangay Buneg, is in critical condition at the Southern Isabela Medical Center after the car they were riding figured in the accident in Barangay Castillo at around 3 p.m., the police report said.

The car came from the town center and was bound for Alicia town when one of its front tires burst. This caused the car to ram against the concrete barrier and subsequently fall onto a rice field on its side.

While on the rice field, the car suddenly exploded and caught fire.

The occupants were thrown away due to the impact.

Police said witnesses reported that the car was traveling fast when the driver tried to overtake another car when its tire exploded.

Initial investigations revealed that driver Daria was allegedly drunk.

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