• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A mother and her toddler son died after a weapons carrier type truck plowed into their home in Purok Super L, Barangay Pandanon, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, on Monday afternoon.
Police identified the fatalities as 23-year-old Judy Ann Verino and her 20-month-old son.
The mishap also left five other individuals injured, including two minors.
Reports by the Don Salvador Benedicto Municipal Police Station said the vehicle, a weapons carrier truck owned and driven by 58-year-old Francisco Banguanga, with two passengers onboard, was travelling downhill when the vehicle experienced a brake malfunction.
The driver lost control and was unable to maneuver along the curved portion of the road. Thereafter, the vehicle went straight and totally damaged the house occupied by the victims who were having lunch with their relatives.
The toddler was pronounced dead on the spot, while his mother was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
As of press time, the victims’ family has not yet manifested whether they will file charges against the driver, who is currently under police custody.*
