3 dead in Taytay, Rizal after closed van driver falls asleep, hits bystanders

Three people in Taytay, Rizal died after they were run over by a speeding closed van whose driver allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel.

In a report by EJ Gomez on “24 Oras” Tuesday, police added two more victims were injured and are currently being treated in a hospital.

“’Yung apat na biktima ay nandun sa may gutter at merong kinakalas na bagay para ibenta dun sa junk shop,” Taytay Police Investigator P/Corporal Mackenray Villarazo said.

(Four of the victims were by a gutter dismantling something to sell to a junk shop.)

“At yung pang limang biktima nandun din sa junk shop pero nakaiwas siya dahil nakita niya yung truck na papararating na sobrang bilis,” he added.

(The fifth victim managed to get out of the way after seeing the truck speeding towards them.)

The vehicle also damaged a house and two commercial stalls.

“Nung narinig ko na na kumalampag lumabas agad ako kasi ‘yung pamangkin ko alam ko dito nakaupo. Tinakbo ko, pagsilip ko ng ganyan, wala na,” said Jovito Fernandez, a relative of one of the victims.

(When I heard the crash, I ran outside because I knew my nephew was sitting right here. I rushed over, looked around, and it was too late—they were gone.)

Fernandez added the incident was completely unacceptable because his nephew was still young and his mother was relying on him to help support his siblings.

According to Taytay Police, the closed van came from Quezon City to deliver products to a grocery store.

“Base ho sa kaniya, nakaidlip siya kaya nawalan ng kontrol,” Villarazo confirmed.

(According to the suspect he fell asleep and lost control.)

The truck helper was reportedly unharmed, while the 41-year-old driver was arrested.

The driver refused to give a statement but apologized for the accident.

He is currently detained at the Taytay Police custodial facility and will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News