Health aide killed, 11 hurt in delivery van-truck collision

BACOLOD CITY – A barangay health aide was killed and 11 others were injured in a collision between a delivery van and a truck in Sitio Punod, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Friday, April 10. Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, San Carlos police chief, said the delivery van—loaded with meat patties from this city—was driven by a 49-year-old man and accompanied by a 39-year-old helper. The other vehicle, a truck owned by Barangay Quezon, San Carlos City, was driven by a 35-year-old man and had nine passengers, including city and barangay health workers. Investigation said that the van driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle after its brakes malfunctioned while navigating a curved road. The van swerved into the opposite lane and collided with the truck. Both vehicles overturned due to the impact. A barangay health aide died on the spot from severe head injuries. Eleven were injured and taken to a hospital. Five remain hospitalized. The van driver and the others sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients. The helper said the driver attempted to repair faulty brakes but the issue was not fully resolved, leading to another malfunction during the trip. Officials of Barangay Quezon plan to file charges against the van driver and encouraged victims to pursue additional legal action. Barangay Quezon expressed deep sorrow over the incident and condoled with bereaved family and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The victims were on their way to a bloodletting activity in Barangay Quezon when the accident happened. The activity was postponed. Meanwhile, a couple was killed in a motorcycle accident in Purok 4, Barangay Cubay, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday. The victims aged 27 and 29 were a fastfood service crew and a sales representative, respectively, and both residents of Barangay III (Poblacion), La Carlota City. Police Lt. Col. Eduardo Corpuz, La Carlota police chief, said the husband reportedly had a drinking session before going home with his wife. The motorcycle reportedly swerved and hit the gutter and the victims slammed into the ground. The husband was declared dead in a hospital from a head injury while his wife died later. He said that the husband may have dozed off due to alcohol consumption.