By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Eighteen persons were hurt when a passenger jeepney and an Isuzu truck collided head-on along a national road in Barangay Alos here at about 8:35 a.m. Wednesday.

Chief Insp. Edward Guarin, Alaminos police chief, said the passenger jeepney (AVX-767), driven by Francisco Abad Tarectecan, 47, collided with the Isuzu truck (RGV-908) driven by Rey Tiago Bogsit, 30, of Barangay Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet, who was found by the police to have no driver’s license.

Those hurt were identified as Kiezel “Khaizal” Ocon, 17, a student; Adora Bravo, 44; Reymarc Cabunot, 21; Ronaly Orpilla, 21, all of Barangay Tagudin, Mabini, Pangasinan; May Miguello, 32, Michelle Baricua, 30, Milaela Tupaz, 7, of Barangay Calzada, Mabini; Jennyrose Jabal, 13, student; Marino Reyes, 44; Marilou Madrid, 56, all of Poblacion, Mabini; Roberto Balmania, 48, of Barangay Magalong, Mabini and Aiko Nato, 22, of Baragay Alos, Alaminos City, all passengers of the passenger jeepney.

Injured from the Isuzu truck were Edwin Tucay Wandinga, 40, Jorem Martin Masaoay, 20, both of Km. 5 Central Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet; Louie Disu Imperial, 22, of Barangay Antamok, Itogon, Benguet and Cherrie Ann Bogsit-Cupatan, 39, of JC 247 Brgy Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Also hurt were the driver and conductor of the passenger jeepney as well as the driver of the Isuzu truck.

All victims were rushed to the Alaminos City Doctors Hospital in Barangay Bolaney, Alaminos City for treatment.

However some of the victims were discharged from hospital a few hours later while six other jeep’s passengers (Marilou Madrid, Aiko Nato, Jennyrose Jabal, Mikaela Tupaz, Kiezel Ocon and Adora Bravo) remained confined there and under observation..

Bogsit and his vehicle were brought to the Alaminos City Police Station for further investigation while the passenger jeepney was temporarily parked at the motor pool of Alaminos City.

Both vehicles were traveling on opposite direction when the accident occurred.

At that time, the Isuzu truck was tailing a jeep that suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, prompting its driver (Bogsit) to steer his vehicle to the left but in so doing, encroached upon the lane of the passenger jeepney, causing a head-on collision between the two. (PNA) RMA/lvm/lmmicua/1630/rma ug. 22