LUCENA CITY, Quezon — One person was killed, while seven others were hurt, after a jeepney loaded with coconut lumber collided with a bus here early morning Thursday, police said.
Senior Supt. Eugenio Paguirigan, Quezon police director, said the southbound AB Liner passenger bus (DWU 555), driven by Alberto Labanan Jubilo, hit the left front fender of the jeepney driven by Arnel Barbacena on the other lane of the Dumacaa Bridge in Barangay Domoit at 4:30 a.m.
Both vehicles were moving fast as the bridge was located in the middle of a descending section of the city’s diversion road.
Paguirigan said the impact caused the bus to land on the concrete railing of the bridge, while the jeepney’s roof was ripped.
The bus conductor, identified as Reynaldo Teofilo, resident of Tagkawayan Quezon, died instantly after falling from the bus to the river some 25 to 30 meters below.
“Police are still investigating if the victim was thrown out of the bus or he stepped out of the bus unaware of its (position following the accident),” Paguirigan said.
He said rescuers took seven injured passengers from both vehicles to the Quezon Medical Center.
They were identified as jeepney passenger Lenan Malian; bus passengers Remy Reyes, Alma Glinoga, Ariel Quisto, Kenneth Hernandez and Maricris Llabon; and jeepney driver Barbacena, who was reported to be in critical condition, as ofThursday morning.
Paguirigan advised Holy Week motorists passing along the Maharlika Highway to obey traffic laws and road signs for a safe and smooth travel.
“Obey traffic rules. The person behind the wheel should be guided with utmost patience and avoid the rush for a safe travel,” he said. SFM