2 dead as jeepney crashes into tricycle before falling off cliff
CALUMPIT, Bulacan —Two people were killed and 19 others injured when a speeding passenger jeepney collided with a tricycle and plunged off a cliff along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Iba O’Este in this town on Tuesday, Jan 14.
Bulacan Police
Director Col. Satur Ediong identified the fatalities as Johny Reyes, 44, the tricycle driver, and Angelica Esguerra, 27, both residents of this town.
The police reported that Reyes and Esguerra were traveling southbound on a Rusi tricycle around 1:40 p.m. when a speeding modern passenger jeepney driven by Rolando Manayag, 53, from Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, lost its brakes.
To avoid hitting another vehicle, the jeepney swerved into the opposite lane and collided with the tricycle, completely wrecking it.
Article continues after this advertisementThe jeepney, carrying 19 passengers, then plunged off a cliff. All passengers suffered injuries and were rushed to the Bulacan Medical Center and other nearby hospitals.
Article continues after this advertisementOne of the injured, 19-year-old Bulacan State University student Jhen Mark Eleogo, recounted that the jeepney was speeding since it left Malolos.
Moments before the crash, the driver shouted that the brakes had failed.
Reyes and Esguerra were pronounced dead on arrival at Calumpit District Hospital.
Manayag, who also suffered injuries, was arrested and is in police custody. He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property. INQ