DUMAGUETE CITY – Three people were killed and 23 injured when the mini-dump truck they were riding rolled over when it lost its brakes as it was traversing a rough road to Balanan Lake in Siaton town, Negros Oriental, Sunday afternoon.

The truck, owned by Barangay Bonawon, was carrying winners of the recent Ms. Bonawon beauty contest, trainers, dancers and other people on their way to celebrate their victory at the tourist destination, Balanan Lake.

A report reaching Camp Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan town said the truck, driven by a certain Noel Pajulas, of legal age, single, and a resident of Bonawon, Siaton town, collided with a motorcycle driven by Elmer Alfonte, 17, single, of Bayawan City.

Initial investigation disclosed that the Isuzu mini-dump truck was negotiating a descending curb in Sitio Cambonbon, Barangay Bonawon, when the brakes malfunctioned, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Killed on the spot were truck passengers Teddy Alejado, 28, streetdance instructor/trainer, of Dumaguete City, and Nicka Nueren Lajato, 13, of Bonawon, Siaton, and the backrider of the motorcycle, Reynante Baya, 17, of Siaton.

Rushed to the hospitals in Dumaguete were Donisa Abello, 15, Nicka Mendres, 18, Ryan GraciaOmbi-on, 25, Catherine Dayday Macapangal, 17, Joseph Candido Macias, 18, Rhea Mae Moreno Macapangal, 15, John Arpan Lajato, 17, Mabel Ramirez, 21, Judeth Candido Macias, 21, Jerwilty Candido Macias, 13, William Mente, 22, Sara Jane Bato, 18, Nova Mae Manipis, 16, Gerich Casido, 16, Michelle Abordo, 15, Jely Mae Dayuday, 17, Pedrita Baldos, 25, Carmilo Pajares, 13, Cherry Allado, 24, Jesica Candido, 15, and Bryan Pintor, 31, both resident of barangay Bonawon, Siaton and Patrick Lasola, 20, and Jonard Enocando, of legal age both resident of Dumaguete City.

The driver surrendered to the police in Sta. Catalina town and was later turned over to the Siaton police.*JG

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