Mini bus rams 5 vehicles; 1 dead

An Isuzu passenger mini bus that had lost its brakes ploughed through five vehicles along the national highway in Barangay Lawaan 2, Talisay City yesterday morning, leaving one person killed and six others injured.

Police identified the fatality as Rhinben Lapas, 34, a resident of Carcar City. Those who suffered minor injuries included Chona Lapas, 34; Jordan Pelaryo, of legal age; Exequiel Dublin, 43; Tomas Niez, of legal age; and another unidentified victim.

Doctors tried to revive Rhinben at the hospital but to no avail.

The mini bus’ driver, Rafael Empleo, 44, voluntarily turned himself in to the Talisay City police after the incident.

Senior Police Officer 1 Maximo Coyacot, traffic investigator at the Talisay City Police Office, said the mini bus was traversing the highway from Carcar City to Cebu City when the incident happened.

“Base sa allegation sa driver, nawad-an siya og preno maong naharos ang mga sakyanan sa daplin. Pagkahuman kay nisurrender siya,” Coyacot said.

As Empleo lost control, the mini bus (GXV 400) crashed into a Mazda Bongo and four motorcycles travelling on the road, including the one driven by Rhinben.

Coyacot said the mini bus reached at least 400 meters from where it started losing control. There were no reported injuries among its passengers.

Coyacot said the victims have decided not to file a case against Empleo after the company operator of the mini bus, called Britt, promised to shoulder all the medical expenses of the victims, as well as the burial of Rhinben.

He added that the bus was also found to have a franchise to operate.