Three people were killed while two others were injured in a road crash involving a truck and a passenger van in Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

Police said the truck loaded with sugarcane reportedly lost its brakes and slammed into the van.

The van driver and his two passengers died. The driver of the truck and his helper were injured and were brought to the hospital.

“Ang vehicle 1 ang van, padulong to siya sa Barandias gikan sa Maramag in a moderate speed, pasaka ni siya, pero pag-abot sa place of incident, ang vehicle 2, ang truck nga naa’y karga nga tubo, accordingly, ingon pa sa helper, nga nawad-an kuno og brake,” Pangantucan Municipal Police Station Chief, Captain Christopher Tuzara Jr., said.

The impact pushed the van toward the bridge, causing some passengers to fall into the river.

“So kaning driver, tungod kay slope man kato nga portion, didto niya gikabig, gi-encroach niya sa dalan sa van kay kung didto siya dapit sa iyang linya, musirit ang iyang sakyanan, pakilid naman gud to didto,” Tuzara added.

The truck driver may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Authorities have cleared the road of sugarcane that scattered after the incident.

Police reminded motorists anew to check the condition of the vehicle first before traveling.