Facebook/Philippine Red Cross

A supposed trip to a church children's camp in Pangasinan turned into a devastating tragedy after eight passengers of a van from Antipolo City were killed in a multi-vehicle collision at the SCTEX Exit Toll Plaza in Tarlac shortly past 12:30 p.m. on May 1.

According to Randy Pagalilauan, his two sisters and their children were among the eight fatalities onboard the van.

Several fatalities reported in multiple-vehicle collision on SCTEX

Pagalilauan said he rushed to the hospital upon hearing of the accident and even confronted the driver of the passenger bus that allegedly caused the crash. The driver, however, refused to explain.

“Kung ayaw niyang magpaliwanag (bus driver), choice niya iyon. Pero sana panagutan niya iyong nangyari para magkaroon naman ng hustisya,” Pagalilauan said.

“Tao rin naman iyong bus company. Kung iisipan nila sa kanila rin nangyari iyon, mahirap din. Lalo na mahirap ang pamumuhay ngayon, sana panagutan nila iyong bawat biktima,” he added.

Initial investigation by the Tarlac City Police Station revealed that four vehicles—two SUVs, a van, and a truck—were lined up in one of the toll lanes when a passenger bus suddenly rammed into them. The bus first hit the van before causing a chain reaction involving the other vehicles.

The bus driver claimed he had fallen asleep, which investigators say is likely the reason behind the fatal crash.

“Nabanggit po niya (driver ng bus) sa imbestigador na nakaidlip daw po siya. Iyon po siguro iyong nakikita nating dahilan kung bakit nangyari itong insidenteng ito,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Romel Santos, chief of Tarlac City Police Station.

Of the nine passengers in the van, eight were declared dead while the van driver remains in critical condition at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital. 

Meanwhile, a couple riding in one of the SUVs also died while their two-year-old child survived.

In total, ten people were confirmed dead, and 37 others sustained injuries, including bus passengers, the bus driver, and the conductor.

“Hindi na raw po mamukhaan iyong karamihan sa mga [namatay]. Iyong sampu... sila po iyong naipit mismo sa Nissan Urvan at Kia Sonet,” Lt. Col. Santos added.

Police are set to conduct breathalyzer and drug tests on the bus driver to determine if he was under the influence at the time of the crash.

The bus driver declined to give a statement or be recorded on camera.

He will be facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, multiple serious physical injuries, and multiple damage to property.

As of press time, no representative from Solid North has given any statement. 

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