Three people died while 19 others were injured after a van lost its brakes and crashed into a concrete wall along Marcos Highway in Tuba, Benguet.

The incident happened early morning on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Police said the van was heading to Pampanga from Baguio City, carrying 22 individuals, including the driver, when its brakes failed while navigating downhill, on a curved portion of the road.

“’Yung area kasi ay accident-prone area, may pakurba na pababa, doon bumangga ‘yung sasakyan,” PCapt. Francis Pawe, Investigation Officer of Tuba Municipal Police Station, said.

At least 14 of the passengers who were injured have been discharged from the hospital, while five remain under observation, as of this writing.

Authorities said most of the passengers are relatives.

Police remind motorists to check the condition of their vehicle before hitting the road, avoid overloading, and to be careful in driving in mountainous areas, especially if they are unfamiliar with the terrain.