3 killed, 15 hurt in Alegria road accident
The place in Alegria town, southwest Cebu where a truck fell into a cliff resulting in the deaths of three persons is an accident-prone area, but no traffic signs have been put up to warn motorists.
PO1 Carmelito Dacula, desk officer of the Algeria Police Station, said the downhill part of the road in Barangay Valencia should have traffic signs to caution drivers to slow down and check their vehicle’s brakes.
Killed in the accident, which happened around 3:30 p.m. last Monday in Sitio Banahaw, were 72-year-old Sergio Abistano, a barangay councilman in Barangay Candiis, Badian town; 73-year-old retired public school teacher Bevenia Amarila; and Domingo Purgatorio, 42.
Injured were truck driver Florencio Esconde, 37; Elesia Esconde 37; Aresteo Purgatorio, 33; Aneza Purgatorio, 47; Dionisio Esconde, 47; Conchita Purgatorio, 56; Teofilo Villagracia, 64; Edwin Esconde, 17; Beatriz Sameon, 44; Maria Epinita Esconde; Maximo Esconde, 61; Florentino Esconde, 81; Peter John Esconde, 3; Emelio Esconde, 61; and Artellano Purgatorio 20. All are from Candiis in Badian.
The victims were heading home after attending the funeral of a relative in Barangay Mantalongon, Dalaguete town.
Police said the truck’s brake malfunctioned while the driver was negotiating a downhill portion of the road.
The driver lost control of the wheel, causing the truck to ram into a coconut tree before careening down a cliff about eight meters deep.
Police are still waiting for the passengers’ decision whether or not they will file charges against the driver, who was recuperating in a hospital in Badian.
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