3 dead, 7 hurt in van-truck collision in Tuao, Cagayan

SANTIAGO CITY –– Three people, including the driver of a passenger van, were killed in a Friday night (Aug. 23) collision with a trailer truck along the national road in the Cagayan town of Tuao.

Van driver Arnel Ulakit died instantly from the impact while passengers Michael Ulakit and a still-unidentified woman passed away while being treated at a hospital following the accident along Barangay Naruangan, according to Police Staff Sergeant Voltaire Cabbangan, Tuao police investigator.

Seven other passengers were hurt in the crash.

The collision was attributed to heavy rains that made the road slippery.

Trailer truck driver Jessie Dumenden slammed into the van when he swerved towards the opposite lane after evading a loose power cable hanging across the road, police said./lzb