3 PAF personnel die in fiery EDSA car accident

Three people died after the car they were riding slammed into one of the concrete barriers at the busway along EDSA and burst into flames early Friday morning, GMA News' James Agustin reported.

The accident occurred along southbound EDSA a few meters from the P. Tuazon Tunnel in Quezon City around 2 in the morning.

A fourth passenger survived the accident.

In a statement, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the victims were all PAF personnel.

"The accident involved four (4) PAF personnel wherein three (3) were confirmed dead," it said. "The only survivor was brought to a hospital for immediate medical treatment."

The statement does not include the identities of the victims.

PAF said the incident is "under investigation."

"The PAF is coordinating with proper authorities on this investigation," it said.  

Car crash incidents

According to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report on Friday, the driver of the vehicle survived the incident.

When he took the breath analyzer test, it turned out that the alcohol concentration in his body was too high, which should not be more than 0.05% or the equivalent of two bottles of light beer, the police said.

“Yung kanyang result is 0.341% ang alcoholic beverage consumed by the driver. Marami yon, maraming nainom yon,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Cipriano Galanida, chief district of traffic enforcement unit, said.

(His result is 0.341% of the alcoholic beverage consumed by the driver. That is a lot.)

The driver said they came from a party in Quezon City and on their way home to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, where they were assigned.

According to a witness, the car was going at high speed before hitting a concrete barrier in EDSA.

“Hindi niya alam yung nangyari kung ano nangyari, naano na lang niya tapos na yung nangyari nakalabas,” Galanida said.

(He didn't know what happened or how he got out.)

Police said the driver will face charges of multiple homicide through reckless imprudence, damage to property, and violation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.

According to PNP- Highway Patrol Group, the road accidents caused by drunk driving increased from 254 in 2020 to 528 incidents in 2021.

Based on the data of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), at least 437 accidents have been recorded related to concrete barriers in EDSA since 2020.

“Halos 80% to 90% ng mga bumangga sa concrete barriers ang dahilan ay lasing sila, yung driver sobrang pagod or nakatulog, or distracted meaning nagtetext or may kausap sa telepono,” lawyer Romando Artes, general manager of MMDA, said.

(Almost 80% to 90% of those who crashed into concrete barriers were because they were drunk, the driver was too tired or asleep, or distracted, meaning texting or talking on the phone.)—Richa Noriega/BAP/KBK/LDF, GMA News