Pickup truck driver faces multiple raps after fatal crash in Laguna killed 4

Members of the Brgy. Bucal Quick Response Team assist following a three-vehicle crash in Calamba City, Laguna, on November 1, 2023, that killed four people and injured five others. Photo from Brgy. Bucal Quick Response Team

MANILA, Philippines — A pickup truck driver will be facing multiple complaints for allegedly causing a three-vehicle wreck in Calamba City, Laguna, on All Saints’ Day, police said Friday.

Calamba City Police Deputy Chief Major Jameson Aguilar identified the driver as Alyssa Mae Abitria. He said she is responsible for the road mishap that resulted in the death of spouses Gilbert and Aileen Palupit, and two of their children on November 1.

The crash also injured five more people, including two other children of the Palupit couple.

READ: Death toll in 3-vehicle collision in Calamba City now at 4

“Ang initial na ano [investigation] po natin ay mayroon siyang pagkukulang, dahil unang-una, mabilis po ang takbo nila,” Aguilar said in an interview with Radyo 630.

(Our initial [investigation] is that she has a shortcoming because, first of all, they are running fast.)

The Calamba City Police official disclosed that reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides and multiple injuries will be filed against Abitria, who is currently on hospital arrest.

He added that the establishment owner where the vehicles crashed would also file a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property against Abitria.

Citing results of the police’s initial investigation and a doctor’s statement, Aguilar said Abitria smelled of liquor when the incident happened, although her alcohol test came back negative.

READ: 3 dead, 6 hurt in 3-vehicle collision in Calamba City

Aguilar explained that the negative result may be due to the delay in conducting the alcohol test as it was only done a day after the road mishap.

“Siguro, may mga lapses din siguro, o siguro na-delay ‘yung pagkuha ng alcohol test,” he said.

(Maybe there were lapses, or maybe the taking of the alcohol test was delayed.)

“Ang ano po kasi is kinabukasan po kasi siya nakuhanan ng sample. Doon pa lang po kasi siya napapayag, noong una po kasi, ayaw mag-execute ng waiver para doon sa ika-conduct na alcohol test,” he also noted.

(What happened was that a sample was only taken from her the next day. Because it was only then that she agreed to it because at first, she refused to execute the waiver for the conduct of the alcohol test.)

Cecilia Lirio, sibling of Gilbert Palupit, said they are prepared to file charges against Abitria.

“Sa ngayon po ay nasa process po ‘yung kaso. Tinutulungan po kami ng mga kapulisan dito sa Calamba para maiusad ‘yung kaso po,” she said in an interview with Radyo 630. She said they have no lawyer yet to represent and help them.

(Right now the case is in process. The police here in Calamba are helping us to move forward with the case.)

“Para po sa mga pamangkin ko po na nasa hospital pa po, at para rin po sa hustisya (For my nieces who are still in the hospital, and also for justice),” she added, noting that her nieces would undergo surgeries due to serious injuries. She said the suspect’s family would shoulder their medical expenses.