ANGONO, Rizal – In a grim turn of events, 16 passengers were severely injured after a passenger jeepney collided with a roadside tree in Barangay San Roque of this municipality.
Among the injured were four minors, emphasizing the severity of the incident. The ages of the young passengers range from eight to 15, while the oldest is 51.
In a report, the local police said 29-year-old jeepney driver Melvic Rivera lost control of his vehicle, and eventually hit a tree in front of a convenience store along the Manila East Road at around 8:00 pm last Wednesday.
Police said the accident stemmed from a first incident involving a minor collision between Rivera’s jeepney and another vehicle. After the collision, Rivera chased the other vehicle with an unnamed driver.
It was during the chase that he lost control of his jeepney.
The sixteen injured individuals, including the four minors, were immediately rushed to the Rizal Provincial Hospital Angono Annex and Margarito General Hospital Binangonan, Rizal, for medical treatment.
Their condition remains unknown as of press time. The local police are investigating the cause of the accident, with initial suspicions pointing towards possible reckless driving or mechanical failure.
The incident has sparked a wave of concern among the local community, prompting calls for increased road safety measures in the area.
The local government is being urged to implement stricter traffic rules and conduct regular vehicle inspections to prevent such accidents in the future.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of negligence on the road, underscoring the importance of safe and responsible driving.
Rivera was placed under police custody pending the filing of formal charges, including reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries.
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