Driver of van in fatal NLEX accident charged

APALIT, Pampanga — The driver of the van that figured in a deadly road accident along the North Luzon Expressway here on Saturday was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, police said.

Senior Supt. Elmer Decena, chief of the Apalit Municipal Police Station, said driver John Leo Jaylo, 28, was charged before the Pampanga Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday.

Police said Jaylo lost control of the van when its tire blew out and it crashed into a six-wheeler Isuzu Elf truck.

The van flipped over, hitting the railings and sending some of its passengers plunging into a residential area.

Nine of the passengers were thrown out and five died on the spot.

Investigators identified the fatalities as Genelyn Sibunga, Angelie Pacheco, Angelita Paltao, Leah Pellerin and Mila Flores.

Decena said the injured passengers were taken to different hospitals in Pampanga for treatment.

The van was headed for Clark International Airport and was traveling on the northbound lane of Apalit viaduct when the accident happened at about noon, police said.

Most of the passengers were overseas Filipino workers who were catching their flight to Saudi Arabia.

The driver is still detained and also faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and damage to property. /atm