Death toll in 3-vehicle collision in Calamba City now at 4

LUCENA CITY — The number of fatalities in the three-vehicle collision in Calamba City, Laguna early Wednesday rose to four with five others receiving treatment in the hospital, the police said in a follow-up report.

The victims, who were traveling to visit their departed loved ones in Sariaya town, sustained injuries after a sports utility vehicle (SUV) hit two tricycles along the national highway in Barangay (village) Bucal around 3:30 a.m., a report from the Police Region 4A said.

READ: 3 dead, 6 hurt in 3-vehicle collision in Calamba City

Gilbert Palupit, 35, was driving his tricycle with his wife Aileen, 34, and their children Ma. Aleisha Gale, 4; Akisha Gillen, 11; Allysa Joy, 12; and Ayesha Gillian, 9, when a Ford Ranger Raptor driven by Alyssa Mae Abitria, 27, allegedly occupied the opposite lane and collided with Palupit’s tricycle.

Another tricycle — driven by John Rey San Juan with Myla Alloro, 38, as a passenger — following Palupit was also subsequently hit by the SUV.

The tricycle drivers and passengers were thrown off the pavement and sustained serious injuries. A passenger of the SUV, Clay John Tianzon, 25, was also injured.

Gilbert died on the spot. His family members were taken to JP Rizal Hospital in the city, but his wife was declared dead on arrival while Ma. Aleisha Gale died during treatment.

The fourth fatality, Akisha Gillen, died around 8:36 a.m. while undergoing treatment in a local hospital, the desk officer at the Calamba police station said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.

It was learned from the Calamba police station that the Palupits came from Barangay Real in Calamba and were going to Sariaya town in Quezon province, Aileen’s hometown, to observe All Saints Day.

The police said the SUV changed lanes and occupied the lane of the tricycles, which led to the collision.

The SUV driver was placed under police custody and is facing the corresponding criminal charges.