2 dead, 15 hurt in Laguna town road mishap

Police say two people died, including a two-year-old girl, and 15 others were injured after a passenger jeepney lost its brakes in Nagcarlan town in Laguna province on Friday, January 19, 2024. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — Two people died, including a two-year-old girl, and 15 others were injured after a passenger jeepney lost its brakes in Nagcarlan town in Laguna province on Friday, Jan. 19.

The Region 4A police reported on Saturday that a passenger jeepney driven by Dario Baldivia, 50, lost its brakes while negotiating a slightly descending section of a road in the town center at around 5:20 p.m.

After the driver lost control of the wayward vehicle, it hit a tricycle, e-bike, sports utility vehicle, and a truck along its path.

The jeepney also rammed into a parked owner-type jeep and two motorcycles before it eventually stopped.

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The report said the injured motorists included six jeepney passengers, five tricycle passengers, three e-bike passengers, and a truck passenger.

Police said Henry Audije, 45, and Sandra Margarette Arevalo, 2, both died while being taken to the hospital.

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A netizen uploaded a video footage of the incident which showed that Audije was crossing the road when he was hit by the speeding jeepney while Arevalo was listed in the report as a passenger of the e-bike.

The jeepney driver was detained at the town police jail and is facing the corresponding criminal charges.