Car crashes into tree in Davao del Norte; 4 killed, 1 hurt

TAGUM CITY – Four people were killed and another one was hurt when a car slammed into a tree at the side of the national highway in Carmen, Davao del Norte on Monday, police on Tuesday said.

The fatalities included the driver of the Kia Avella sedan and all but one of the four passengers, according to Chief Insp. Alvin Saguban, Carmen police chief.

Saguban said the car, driven by Eric Payot, 27, was traveling from Tagum City and going toward Davao City along the Pan-Philippine Highway around 6 a.m..

Upon reaching Purok (Community) 8, Barangay (Village) Guadalupe, the vehicle suddenly hit the road railings and rammed a narra tree, Saguban said.

Aside from Payot, also killed were Arche Robles, 22; Victor Caseno, 51, and his son Jayson, 21. Jenbert Auditor, 20, was reported in serious condition at a hospital in this city.

All the victims were from Poblacion, New Bataan, Compostela Valley province, said Saguban.

“The car was a total wreck,” the police official told Inquirer by mobile phone. “The driver may have dozed off behind the wheel.”
An investigation into the accident was being conducted, Saguban said.