3 dead, 1 hurt in multiple-vehicle collision in Cabanatuan City

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CABANATUAN CITY — Three people were killed and one was seriously injured on Monday, May 6, when the tricycle carrying them was hit by an Asian utility vehicle (AUV) and collided with a tanker truck along Emilio Vergara Highway in Barangay Valle Cruz in this city, police said.

Investigators identified the fatalities as Malik Matuan, a tricycle driver, who resides in Barangay Bantug Norte in the city; and his passengers Joel Villanueva, and Rainhearth Christian Jose Panit.

Injured was Cain Correche, also a tricycle passenger.

An initial investigation revealed that the tricycle and the AUV were traveling northbound on the highway when the AUV collided with the rear of the tricycle.

READ: 5 dead in Nueva Ecija road accident

“Hence, (the tricycle driver lost control and subsequently collided with the incoming truck (with license plate TEJ 538), which was traveling in the opposite direction (south),” police reported.

Mutuan, Villanueva, and Panit were rushed to MV Gallego Cabanatuan City General Hospital but were declared dead upon arrival, police said.

Correche was taken to the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.
Both the drivers of the AUV and the tanker were charged with reckless imprudence, resulting in multiple homicides, physical injuries, and damage to properties. INQ