By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A father and his son were killed, while three others, including an elderly couple, were wounded after a wingvan truck loaded with sacks of rice rammed a store at Barangay Binicuil, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Killed were Roberto Sabio, 44, and his 17-year-old son, both residents of Cauayan town, according to the police.
The wounded were Clemente Nueva España, 69, his wife Lilia, 69, and Romeo Olmido, 57, all residents of Barangay Binicuil.
Police Lieutenant Dennis Melgarejo, deputy police chief of Kabankalan City Police Station, said the accident occurred when wingvan truck driver Arnel Brilliantes lost control of the vehicle as he tried to evade a parked tricycle while approaching a curve portion of the road.
Melgarejo said the truck then fell on its side after crashing into the store, where Olmido and the Sabio victims were having coffee around 5 a.m.
Melgarejo said that it took an hour and a half for rescuers to remove the Sabios because they were pinned under the vehicle and the sacks of rice blocked the way.
The Sabios suffered severe injuries and were declared dead on arrival at a hospital.
Melgarejo said the truck also hit a motorcycle and a tricycle that were parked in front of a store.
Melgarejo said the elderly couple were referred to a hospital here, while Olmido, was discharged from the hospital.
Brilliantes, who was on his way to Ilog town for a delivery, was unharmed and is now detained at the police station.
He faces charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to properties.
