2 dead, 17 hurt as van slams into electric post in Isabela

Two people died while 17 others were injured early Saturday morning when a passenger van slammed into an electric post at Barangay San Antonio in San Mateo, Isabela.

The two fatalities were identified as Veronica Salvador, 10, and Aldrin Gutierrez, 46. Both died while they were being brought to the hospital.

Police authorities said that car owner and driver Eduardo Villaflor, 56, from Pulang Lupa in San Mateo, Rizal was traversing the national highway bound for Roxas town when his vehicle's tie rod got detached.

Villaflor lost control of the steering wheel and slammed into an electric post, with his vehicle turning upside down in a drainage canal around 2:05 a.m.

Apart from Villafor, other injured individuals were identified as Merlita Fuentes, 47; Emma Vidal, 54; Augusto Fuentes, 56, and daughter Anna Fuentes,21; brothers Chelvin Regalario, 9, and Gervin Regalario, 11; Rizal Vidal, 51; Mary Ann Villaflor, 11; Maribeth Vidal, 47; brothers Cenimlab Pajarillo, 6, and Charles Amid Pajarillo; Nica Joy Santos, 11; Rosita Villaflor, 57; Lilibeth Alava, 43; Ferly Jane Alava; 19; and Christian Alava, 13.

They were brought to various hospitals in Santiago and Cauyan for treatment.

Villafor surrendered to authorities after his injuries were treated. — Marlly Rome Bondoc/MDM, GMA News