By Jennifer P. Rendon
A family of three and a teacher were killed after a pick-up truck rammed into the tricycle they were riding in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Police identified the victims as spouses Bein Estorpe, 49, and Arlene, 50, and their daughter, 10-year-old Arnie, residents of Igdulaca, Miag-ao; and Helen Olaguer of Barangay Igcatambor, Miagao.
Olaguer’s children, Lance Eric, 10, and Allysa Jane, 5, were injured in the incident.
Bein was a barangay kagawad while Arlene and Helen were co-teachers at Igdulaca Elementary School.
Staff Sergeant Jesus Montil, Miag-ao PNP traffic investigator, said the incident happened as the group of six was passing by Barangay Oyongan around 8:15 p.m. on Sept 23 on their way home.
They allegedly came from the town proper where Arlene sought a medical check-up. They then went to the grocery store before heading home.
Montil claimed that the tricycle was in the same lane as a Nissan Navara pick-up truck driven by Noel Tactical.
Montil said that Tactical, a 25-year-old engineer working at the Miag-ao municipal government, was on his way home to Barangay 5, San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Tactical allegedly told investigators that he didn’t notice the tricycle that was running ahead of him. He bumped into the tricycle’s rear and shoved it off.
Witnesses said the tricycle turned turtle several times before it flipped on its side around 80 meters from where the initial impact happened.
The victims were thrown off the vehicle and landed several meters away from the tricycle.
The victims were rushed to the Miag-ao Rural Health Unif but four of them were declared dead on arrival.
Montil said Tactical was believed to be drunk when the incident happened. He allegedly came from a post-fiesta celebration with his co-workers prior to the incident.
Montil said an inquest case for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, physical injuries, and damage to property was already filed against the suspect who remains in detention at Miag-ao PNP lock-up cell.
