6 killed, 5 injured in Calbayog City road accident

TACLOBAN CITY — Six people were killed and five others injured in a vehicular accident in Barangay Matobato, Calbayog City, Samar on Sunday, Dec. 24.

The deceased were identified as Justine Arsenal, 20; Princess Mae Arsenal, 21; Trixie Roxas, 14; Lisa Luaton, 22; Richard Magcasi, 32; and Lara Jane Lera, 15.

Injured in the incident were James Castila, 20; Arnold Luaton, Jr., 19; Angeline Velasco, 34; Shiela Mae Arsenal, 16; and Paquito Arsenal, 14.

According to an initial report from the Calbayog city police, the victims were aboard a vehicle known locally as a “chariot,” an expanded type of motorcycle.

As they were traveling along Barangay Matobato, Castilla, the driver of the Chariot, swerved into the opposite lane and failed to notice an early warning device near a parked backhoe.

This led to a head-on collision with an oncoming passenger bus driven by Rowan Gino.

All vehicle occupants were taken to Calbayog District Hospital, where the six passengers of the Chariot were pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the passenger bus is currently detained at the Calbayog City police station.

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