2 killed, 8 hurt in Negros Occidental road accident

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Two persons were killed while eight others – including three adults and a toddler on one motorcycle – were injured when the brakes of a government-owned dump truck allegedly failed while negotiating a downhill road in La Castellana, Negros Occidental past noon Wednesday, the police said.

The dump truck, owned by the Department of Public Works and Highways was passing through Barangay Cabacungan at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday when its driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a motorcycle before crashing upside down, according to PO2 Michael John Lacson, La Castellana assistant traffic investigator.

Two of the passengers riding in the back of the dump truck, Junel Buenafe and Greg Manato, were killed on the spot, Lacson said.

The injured included the driver of the dump truck, Antonio Tilic, Bart Buenafe, who was riding in the back of the truck, Ramonito Nales and Rommel Salmorin, who were in the front section of the truck.

Motorcycle driver John Donasco, 23, was unharmed even as his vehicle fell on its side. However, his passengers – Noella Villanueva, 24, her child Jeznel, 4, and sister Noelyn Villanueva, 21 – were also injured, Lacson said.