Woman killed, grandson injured as dump truck slams into Antipolo store

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MANILA, Philippines—A 54-year-old woman was killed on the spot and her young grandson was injured when a dump truck loaded with gravel crashed into a store in Antipolo City on Saturday afternoon, the authorities said.

Joey Marco, head of the Antipolo City Rescue, said Josephine Alburo died when the truck (plate no. RME-155), driven by Johnny Celeste, rammed into a wall of the store along Marcos Highway in Barangay (village) Sta. Cruz at around 2:45 p.m.

Alburo was pinned to the ground by the wall and run over by the vehicle, according to Marco.

John Carlo Alburo, 1 year and 5 months old, had to be rushed to nearby Marcelo-Padilla Hospital for head bruises, Marco said.

In a television interview, truck helper Roel Flores said he and Celeste were on their way to Cavite when, upon reaching Barangay Sta. Cruz, the steering wheel of the vehicle suddenly locked.

“There was a problem. The screws under (the truck) became loose,” Flores claimed.

According to P01 Ryan Mercado, Celeste lost control of the truck–registered to Supertrux Enterprises–which subsequently swerved to the side of the road and crashed into the Rosario Cemetery. It then slammed into a stall of Boyz Motorcycle and Accessories, a spare parts store, where the victims were.

Celeste managed to escape.

Flores, however, was taken to the police station for questioning.

According to Mercado, charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, physical injury and damage to property will be filed against Celeste. A charge of abandonment would also be filed against the driver should he refuse to show up, the policeman added.