2 dead, 8 hurt in Quezon road mishaps

LUCENA CITY –– Two motorists died and at least eight others were injured in two separate road accidents along the Maharlika Highway in Quezon province on Sunday, police said Monday.

The Quezon police public information office reported that a Toyota Wigo and a Hi-Ace van collided head-on in Barangay Sto. Cristo in Sariaya town around 10:50 p.m. The strong impact caused both vehicles to turn turtle after crashing into the pavement.

The driver of the car, John Paul Badillo, 21, died on the way to the United Doctors Hospital in neighboring Candelaria town.

The driver of the van, Alvin Dela Cruz, 35, and his five passengers suffered injuries and were brought to another hospital in Candelaria for treatment.

De La Cruz claimed that the car overtook another vehicle and occupied the opposite lane that resulted in the collision.

In Atimonan town, a motorcycle rider, Melanie Cadiz, also died after a trailer truck accidentally run over her in Barangay Sta. Catalina at 4:05 p.m.

Police said the truck driver, Roy Buat, 45, was giving way to an overtaking truck and pulled his vehicle to the rightmost part of the highway.

However, Cadiz aboard a motorcycle was negotiating the highway on the right side of the trailer truck, lost control of her vehicle that slid and threw her off and two back-riders into the pavement.

The front right tire of the truck subsequently rolled over Cadiz’s body, who died on the spot.

Her two back riders suffered injuries and were brought to Doña Martha Memorial District Hospital at the town center for treatment.

LZB