ILOILO City – A passenger bus and an Elf truck collided in Barangay Cabilauan, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo around 8 a.m. yesterday. A village councilor died while 15 others were injured.
Johnny Delariarte, 47, of Barangay Padios, Sara, Iloilo was the driver of the ill-fated truck. He died of severe body injuries, according to Police Major Rowena Hubero, Barotac Nuevo police chief.
“The truck loaded with onions and other vegetables was heading to the town of Sara when it collided with the Ceres bus,” Hubero told Panay News.
Bus driver Ruel Caguindangan, 44, of Barangay Poblacion, Concepcion, Iloilo claimed the truck swerved to the opposite lane and hit the bus.
Thirteen passengers and the bus conductor sustained minor injuries. They received treatment at the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo.
“Maybe he (Delariarte) fell asleep while driving or there was a mechanical problem,” Hubero said.
Investigation was ongoing./PN
