BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
At around 2:00 in the afternoon on January 9, these vehicles were seen stopped at a traffic light along Manila North Road in Barangay Carmen West, Rosales, Pangasinan.
However, this dump truck continued moving and even grazed two other trucks before, it ran over the vehicles in front of it until it crashed into a pawn shop sign.
Everyone was shocked by the incident.
This tricycle tipped over while other vehicles were also damaged as they were rammed.
The police immediately responded, and based on their investigation, the truck allegedly lost its brakes.
PMAJ. Noel Cabacungan, Chief of Police – Rosales Municipal Police Station, narrated, “When the driver noticed that he lost his brakes, that was his allegation, but based on our investigation, the reason why his brakes may not have worked properly is probably due to the heavy load he was carrying, as it was loaded with three-fourths of sand and gravel.”
According to the PNP’s investigation, the truck hit 14 vehicles, including 3 SUVs, a car, 2 pickups, 3 ten-wheeler trucks, 3 tricycles, a motorcycle, and a closed van.
The incident also affected a pawn shop and a restaurant.
Eight people were injured in the incident, all of whom were passengers of the vehicles that were hit, but they were immediately treated at the hospital.
The incident also caused heavy traffic in the area.
According to the PNP, incidents like this are frequent in the area due to the downhill slope of that section of the road.
“We have recorded incidents, but they were minor, just minor accidents or bumping, but as for the gravity of the incident, this is the first (most severe) incident we’ve recorded this year,” Cabacungan added.
The damages from the incident are still being assessed, and the police are holding the driver, who may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple damages to property and multiple physical injuries.
The police are still waiting for the victims to file complaints, or if they will settle the matter through an agreement.
