Authorities are reminding the public to always take the safe side when traveling, as a recent vehicular accident along the stretch of the Palispis-Aspiras Highway in Tuba, Benguet resulted in one death and 13 injuries.
The Tuba Municipal Police Station reported that a vehicular collision happened on 10 p.m. of Dec. 18 involving three cars, which were traversing the highway in Taloy Sur towards La Union.
The van, driven by 53-year-old Dennis Galves experienced a mechanical defect leading him to lose control and sideswipe another private car, a Fortuner, in front, which collided with the rear of the pick-up truck in front of it.
Due to the impact, the van turned turtle and rested on its side. All the 13 passengers of the van sustained injuries and were immediately brought to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
Fire Officer 3 Jethro Vizcara of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Tuba said one of the concerned citizens who presented himself as a doctor, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on one of the victims for at least 20 minutes. The victim, identified as Samuel Linao was later declared dead by responding physicians.
Police reported the relatives of Linao together with Galves have agreed to amicably settle the case. The latter was also released from temporary detention of Tuba MPS, since there are no complaints initiated by the family of the victim.
Galves also agreed to shoulder the medical expenses of his passengers as well as the repairs for the two cars he collided with. In case of emergency, these lines are always open for assistance: Tuba MPS – 0910-321-6500; BFP Tuba Fire Station – 0963-888-1829; and the Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Operating Center at 0947-357-7774. – Ofelia C. Empian
