BACOLOD City – Two men were killed while five others sustained injuries in a road accident involving a van and a parked dump truck in Sitio Sto. Rosario, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, Negros Occidental late Sunday afternoon, October 5.
Silay City police chief, Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, identified the fatalities as Gino Aparra, 24, of Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, who was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, and Jerry James Diaz, 23, of La Carlota City, who died at around 9:30 a.m. on October 6 while undergoing treatment at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City.
The driver of the white Toyota Lite Ace was identified as Argie Braceros, 31, of Barangay 40, Bacolod City. He was arrested by the authorities and was awaiting inquest proceedings.
Based on police investigation, the van was traveling from Sitio Lantawan toward Silay City proper at around 5:30 p.m. when it allegedly overshot its lane and crashed into a parked Isuzu dump truck facing east, driven by Arnold Capada, 42, of Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City.
The impact threw the passengers out of the van, causing serious injuries to several of them.
Injured passengers were identified as Debie Brain Rojo, 27, of Barangay San Miguel, La Carlota City – confined at CLMMRH; Clint John Piodena, of Barangay Punta Taytay, Bacolod City – confined at CLMMRH; Dominador Pacheco, 23, of Barangay San Miguel, La Carlota City – treated as outpatient; Blenchie Labiga, 26, of Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla – treated as outpatient; and Rhea Mae Parreñas, 21, of Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City – treated as outpatient.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage. Police said Braceros lost control of the van after crossing into the opposite lane, resulting in the collision.
Authorities were preparing charges against the van driver as the investigation continues./PN
