4 dead, 3 hurt in Dumaguete road collision

DUMAGUETE CITY: Four died while three others were injured when the car they were riding in collided with a cement mixer truck in this capital city of Negros Oriental early Saturday. A report from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) said the casualties, who were in a Toyota Avanza car, were all from Luzon. NOPPO spokesperson Lt. Stephen Polinar said the identities of the victims, one male and three females, are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin. Police investigation revealed that at around 4 a.m. the Avanza was traveling southbound when it collided with the truck coming from the opposite direction at a curved portion of the diversion road in Barangay Batinguel. They died on the spot, the police said. Three other victims, aged 17, 15, and 19, were taken to the Silliman University Medical Center. The 43-year-old male truck driver from Barangay Tinago in this capital was arrested. He is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides and multiple physical injuries. A post-mortem examination of the four fatalities has been requested. Source: Philippines News Agency