2 tour guides killed in freak Edsa smashup

Two tour guides were pinned to death in a three-vehicle smashup on the northbound lane of Edsa and Congressional Avenue in Quezon City before dawn Saturday.

Police identified the victims as Mario Cahusay, 28, and Delmar Salazar, 20, both of Taguig City.

Traffic investigator PO2 Oscar Sese said the smashup involved a tourist bus (TYT-504), a delivery van (WJP-739) and a 14-wheeler truck (RFC-781).

Investigation showed that the tour guides were on board the tourist bus driven by Roberto Belleja, 56. It was cruising along Edsa at around 4 a.m. when it hit the delivery van in front of them near the corner of Congressional Avenue.

Belleja got off from his bus and had a heated argument with the van’s driver, Oliver Lapuz. The tour guides then decided to get off the tourist bus to pacify the drivers and to check on the damages to both vehicles.

Suddenly, the 14-wheeler truck driven by Marlon Calawa smashed into the rear of the tourist bus, pinning both the tourist guides.

Calawa, who was also pinned inside his truck in the mishap, was eventually rescued and is now confined at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Sese said the truck driver may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and damage to properties.