By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two teenage siblings died in a three-vehicle crash in Ajuy, Iloilo on the late afternoon of July 14.
Christian Jem Deasio, 18, and his 17-year-old sister, Jennifer, sustained head injuries and were rushed to Sara District Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.
The incident also injured another rider, Ferdinand dela Cruz, 38, of Barangay Viscaya, President Roxas, Capiz. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is now in stable condition.
According to police reports, the siblings were returning home from Ajuy town proper when the incident occurred.
As they navigated Barangay San Antonio, Ajuy, around 5:40 p.m., driver Christian Jem overtook a tricycle driven by Nel Soberano, 59, a resident of Barangay Progreso.
Staff Sergeant Noel Demalinao, Ajuy PNP traffic investigator, said Christian Jem miscalculated and hit the tricycle’s handlebar.
The teenager then swerved and encroached on the opposite lane, eventually colliding with dela Cruz’s motorcycle.
Demalinao reported that the siblings and dela Cruz were thrown from their motorcycles.
Dela Cruz did not sustain fatal injuries, as he was wearing a protective helmet, while the two fatalities were not.
Meanwhile, Soberano was physically unscathed during the incident.