5 dead, 2 hurt after SUV, 22-wheeler collide in Bulacan

Five passengers of an SUV died on the spot while two sustained injuries after their vehicle crashed into a 22-wheeler truck in Baliwag, Bulacan on Wednesday.

According to Bam Alegre’s report on “24 Oras,” the incident occurred at past 1 a.m. along Doña Remedios Trinidad Highway after the speeding SUV took up the lane of the incoming truck.

Three of the victims who died were Korean nationals en route to the airport.

“Ang nasaksihan namin agad dito mga nakaipit sa sasakyan. 'Yung driver sakay sa likod nakarating sa una. Bale pito sila sa SUV na 'yan lima yung patay agad,” said traffic enforcer Michael Bautista.

(We saw the collision. There were seven passengers in the SUV, five of them died on the spot.)

The driver surrendered to the police and said he tried his best to avoid the car.

“Nakita ko pabangga siya sakin ang ginawa ko kumabig ako sa kanan,” said truck driver PJ Calma.

(I saw them coming so I swerved to the right.)

Meanwhile, authorities reminded motorists to ensure they are at their best condition when driving.

“Sana siguraduhin ang kundisyon katawan at safe ang sasakyan especially madaling araw kalaban ang antok sa daan. Dumaan sa tamang lane speed limit,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Julius Alvaro, Baliwag, Bulacan Police chief, said.

(Drivers should ensure they are in good shape and their vehicles are in good condition, especially when driving at wee hours. They should also drive on the right lane and observe speed limit.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News