BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The police are preparing charges against a driver, for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries, as well as damage to properties, for a vehicular crash on November 11 in Calatrava, Negros Occidental that resulted in the death of three of his passengers and injuries to 36 others.
The driver, identified by the Calatrava police as Jose Jequito Florencondia, immediately surrendered to the police after the incident and is presently locked up at police custodian facility.
Initial police investigations showed that three passengers died and 36 others were injured after the overloaded passenger utility vehicle driven by Florencondia allegedly suffered a brake malfunction and hit a tree along the national highway of Brgy. Malatas, Calatrava.
PMaj. Lumyaen Lidawan, Calatrava police chief, in his report to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, disclosed that the PUV driven by Florencondia, bound for Brgy. Hilub-ang, Calatrava, was negotiating a downhill curve when he lost control of the vehicle, after its brakes apparently malfunctioned.
The PUV crashed into a gmelina tree and was reported to be almost a total wreck, resulting in injuries to its passengers.
Two motorcycles, owned separately by Jimmy Pason and Julie de La Pena, as well as a sari-sari store owned by Vilma Muelen were also damaged as a result of the road crash, Lidawan said.
Those declared dead on arrival at the Calatrava Municipal Hospital were identified by the police as Rochelle Visitacion, 32; Elma Baynosa, 72; and Aranita Agravante, 63.
Twelve of the passengers went home after initial treatment, while the rest were referred to various hospitals for further treatment.*
