3 killed, 19 others injured after van crashes into rock in Tuba, Benguet

Tuba, Benguet - Three individuals lost their lives over the weekend after a van lost its brakes and crashed into a rock in Tuba, Benguet.  

The casualties who are residents of Pampanga were identified as Justine Nichole Bungay, 22, Homer Lozano, 46, and Arlene Nanquil, 56. 

Along with the fatalities, five other occupants of the van suffered multiple physical injuries and were brought to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center. Meanwhile, fourteen others, including the driver, sustained minor injuries.

Fortunately, the individuals who were hurt are now in a stable condition. 

In the initial investigation conducted by the Tuba Municipal Station, it said the victims had come from La Trinidad, Benguet, and traveled to Baguio City on Saturday, March 8. In the early hours of March 9, they decided to go back to Pampanga. 

The driver of the van, Berlin Lopez, told the investigators that they were traversing along Marcos Highway in Poblacion, Tuba, on board a Nissan van when the vehicle’s brakes malfunctioned. 

Lopez said he tried all he can do to stop the vehicle from moving, but he failed to do so. Upon noticing the rock by the roadside, he chose to crash the vehicle into it instead of letting the van fall straight into the ravine. The accident led to the death of his three passengers and injuries to the eighteen others. 

Further investigations are now being conducted by the authorities to determine the real cause of the accident.