MANILA (UPDATE)— Four family members were killed while six others were wounded in a road crash in Calamba City, Laguna province on All Saints’ Day, November 1, authorities said.
A couple and their two children aged 4 and 11 were killed after a pickup truck slammed into two tricycles along the national highway of Barangay Bucal, said city police chief PLt. Col. Milany Martirez.
The deceased victims were identified as Gilbert Palupit, a tricycle driver, his wife Aileen, and their children Ma. Aleisha Gale, 4 years old, and Akisha Gillen, 11 years old.
Two other children of the Palupit couple Allyssa Joy, 12; and Ayesha Gillian, 8, are in critical condition at the hospital.
Two fruit vendors who were riding another tricycle were also injured.
The driver of the pick-up and her boyfriend were also injured in the collision.
Based on the CCTV footage from Barangay Bucal, it can be seen that the pick-up truck was speeding and collided with the tricycles, dragging them for several meters.
The pick-up also crashed into an electric post and the wall of a house.
It was possible that the rain and the curving road were factors on the tragedy, said Maj. Jameson Aguilar, deputy chief of police and chief investigator at the Calamba City Police.
“Basa ang kalsada, matulin, pagkurbada nya medyo na out-balance siguro, out of control si drayber. Nag-overshoot siya sa… kasalubong,” Aguilar said.
“Itong driver ng Ford Ranger ay parang naka-inom. To be confirmed pa naman ‘yan at waiting po tayo sa liquor test ng na-conduct ng ospital,” he added.
The Palupit family was on their way to Sariaya, Quezon for a vacation, said Cecilia Lirio, a relative of the deceased.
“Sana mabigyan niyo ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng kapatid ko at mga pamangkin ko. Sobrang sakit po kasi nag-iisang kapatid naming siyang lalaki. Siya na po pinaka-padre de pamilya sa aming lahat, nadamay pa mga bata,” Lirio said.
The Calamba City Police Station is preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property against the driver of the pick-up truck.