1 killed, 17 injured in van-car collision in Reina Mercedes, Isabela

Reina Mercedes, Isabela – An elderly died while 17 individuals were injured after a car and a van collided head on in Reina Mercedes, Isabela over the weekend.

The accident involved a Mercedes Benz van driven by Chris Ian Dumlao, 34, and a Toyota Wigo car driven by Virgil Maneja, 34.

Dumlao and Maneja both had 8 passengers. Some of them are minors, police noted.

Police initially reported that the Wigo encroached the Mercedez’s lane while traversing the road in Barangay Tallungan on Sunday June 30, resulting in the collision.

Due to the impact, the two drivers and some of their passengers sustained minor injuries, while one was severely injured.

The rescue team rushed the victims to a hospital nearby. Unfortunately, the severely injured person, later identified as Vilma Maneja, 68, died at the medical facility.

Meanwhile, Reina Mercedes PNP Chief Charles Cariño relayed in his interview with a local media that both sides had initial talks but they failed to settle the matter amicably.

At present, further investigation is being conducted by the police to determine who is responsible to the incident.