NEGROS Occidental — A mother and her son died, while seven other relatives were injured after a runaway truck crashed into their home in Purok Super L, Barangay Pandanon, Don Salvador Benedicto town on Monday afternoon, May 25.
Police identified the victims as Judy Ann Verino, 23, and her 20-month-old son. According to Don Salvador Benedicto police, the child died on the spot while Verino was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.
Of the seven other family members rushed to the hospital following the crash, three remained in critical condition while four others were being treated for various injuries.
Initial investigations by the Don Salvador Benedicto Municipal Police Station (MPS) revealed that a weapon carrier truck, owned and driven by Francisco Banguanga, 58, was heading home to Murcia town when its brakes suddenly failed on a steep, downhill section of the road.
Police Lieutenant Col. Ellendie Rebusquillo, chief of Don Salvador Benedicto MPS, stated that Banguanga panicked during the brake malfunction. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, the driver turned off the engine, which caused the steering wheel to lock up and stiffen.
The truck careened off the road and plowed directly into the victims’ house, where the family was having lunch.
As of this writing, the truck driver was under police custody.
Authorities, however, noted that the victims’ family has yet to state whether they will formally press charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, serious physical injuries, and damage to property against the driver./PN
