3 killed, 2 hurt as bus rams van in Tagkawayan

Three people were killed while two others were hurt when a passenger bus slammed into an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) in Tagkawayan, Quezon province on Christmas Eve, investigators told GMANews.TV Wednesday. Police Officer Randy Banaag, chief investigator at the Tagkawayan Police, identified the two fatalities as 27-year-old Erwin Ramos, driver of the AUV, and companion Erlinda Realino, 54, who both died on the spot. A third person on board the "AUV-type jeepney" identified as Arman Realino, 52, was rushed to the hospital but later expired. All three fatalities are residents of Taytay, Rizal. Those hurt in the incident included AUV passenger Ricardo Decena and a still unidentified bus passenger, who got thrown off the vehicle due to the impact. Both are undergoing medical treatment at the Maria Eleazar District Hospital in Tagkawayan while the three fatalities were autopsied at the Crystal Parlor. Investigation showed that the Bacolod-bound Hino bus (plate number HVJ-434), owned and operated by PP Buslines, was cruising the Quirino Highway in San Francisco village at about 4:15 pm when its driver, Reynaldo Paña, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to slam head on to the incoming AUV (WGP-796) on the opposite side of the road. "Medyo curved kasi ang daan. At siguro, dahil na rin sa bilis ng takbo ng bus, nag-collide sila head to head," Banaag told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. The police investigator added that the impact left the AUV in total wreck even as the bus, carrying 54 passengers, swerved uncontrollably and was sent crashing into a roadside residence. Banaag belied earlier radio reports that said house owner Romeo Ilucario was seriously hurt in the incident. Banaag said that Ilucario, who at the time of the vehicular accident was lying in bed, got up just before the passenger bus rammed into his home and managed to escape with just a minor scratch on his arms. Banaag said that the PP Buslines had already given out an initial amount for the medical expenses of the victims and that the bus company has coordinated with the victims' families to discuss burial assistance. The radio report added that bus driver Redentor Paña has undergone police questioning, after he voluntarily turned himself over to authorities. The police official denied that Paña was drunk or was under the influence of illegal drugs when the road mishap took place. The local police is mulling on filing charges of physical injuries and reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against the bus driver, Banaag added. Tagkawayan is a second class municipality in the province of Quezon with a population of 44,290 people in 8,762 households. - GMANews.TV