Six people died while four others were hurt in a three-vehicle smash-up along Marcos Highway at Brgy. Poblacion in Tuba, Benguet before dawn Monday.
According to Benguet police director Col. Elmer Ragay, a garbage truck of the local government of Baguio City with plate number SKR 634 was descending along the highway when its driver, identified as Mark Collantes, lost control of the six-wheeler truck and eventually rear-ended another dump truck. Due to the strong impact, the dump truck smashed into a trailer truck traversing the opposite lane.
The dump truck continued to descend then fell on its side after hitting a concrete barrier.
Immediately, Belly Joe Lachica Collantes, 29; and Raymart Dela Rama Lachica, both garbage collection employees of the Baguio General Services Office (GSO) and residents of Irisan, Baguio City; John Rex Hilario, another garbage collection employee from Kias, Baguio City; and the uphill trailer truck driver Vargas from Aringay, La Union died on the spot.
While garbage collector Rustom Lachica Dela Rama and garbage truck driver Collantes, also both residents of Irisan, died at the hospital.
Garbage collectors Romeo Dela Raga Collantes, 21; Ernesto Lachica Collantes, 27; Philip Lachica Dela Rosa, 28; all from Irisan in Baguio City; and dumpt truck driver Merson Aoay Manalastas, 42 from AE 13 D, barangay Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet are being treated at the Baguio General Hospital.
Ragay said the four victims who died on the spot were brought to Damayan Funeral Homes while the two who died at the hospital are at the morgue. – Artemio Dumlao/STAR
