Wayward van kills mother, hurts 1 year old, 3 others in Mt. Province

BAGUIO CITY — A woman was killed Sunday morning when a wayward van rammed her and four other people in Bauko, Mt. Province, police said.

Cherry Soriano, 31, died from head injuries while her one-year-old daughter, another child and two other women were injured.

Police said a van driven by Tomas Bandao, 68, was ascending a mountain road in Sitio Mabilig, Barangay Sadsadan , when it crashed into a motorcycle driven by Reinfred Josh Manabeng at about 9:30 a.m.

Instead of stepping on the brakes, Bandao accidentally pressed on the accelerator and rammed Soriano, her baby Charlene, 9-year-old Jhesel Kate Luncio, 44-year-old Agrifina Gisey, and 42-year-old Susan Mangsi, police said.

The women and children were standing on the side of the road when the van barreled into them.

Bauko policemen rushed them to the Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital where Soriano was declared dead on arrival. Her daughter was confined for observation, while the other victims were released after treatment.

Bandao is currently under police custody. CBB/rga