A high school student and two others were killed, while 26 others, including a school principal and three teachers were injured, in separate vehicular accidents on June 13 and 14 in the cities of San Carlos, Bacolod and Sagay, all in Negros Occidental.

The vehicular accident in San Carlos City on Wednesday claimed the life of Jeffrey Paz, 15, and a high school student, and caused injuries to 23 other passengers, among them Jocelyn Sumilhig, a principal of the Bagonbon National High School, and teachers identified as Eva Benlot, Jerlinda Deocampo, Josephine Sandag and Eva Benlot, who is pregnant.

In his report to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Supt. Harold Tuzon, San Carlos police chief, said the mechanical brake of Mitsubishi mini-passenger bus, driven by Michael Baraquia, had malfunctioned while negotiating a downslope in Sitio Walos, Brgy. Bagonbon, San Carlos City, fell into a ditch, and turned turtle.

The 24 injured, including the driver and 11 minors, were rushed to the San Carlos Doctor’s Hospital for treatment.

Paz, however, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital in San Carlos City, while Sumilhig and Betsy Ardiente,15 were later transferred to Bacolod City, for further treatment.

Baraquia is now under the custody of the police, after being treated for his minor injuries at the San Carlos Doctor’s Hospital, and pending further investigations of the accident.

On the same day, another accident also took place in Sitio Piyok, Brgy. Tadlong, Sagay City, where a Toyota Hi-Lux pick-up vehicle driven by Larry Lamis, smashed into an ipil-ipil tree, when its brakes also malfunctioned.

Chief Inspector Gabriel Gutierrez, Sagay police chief, yesterday said the accident claimed the life of Henry Malasibas, 34, and caused injuries to his wife, Melona, and Lamis.

A 36-year-old driver also died yesterday in a hospital, after his passenger vehicle fell on its side, at the Eroreco Subdivision in Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City.

Investigation by Police Officer 2 Wilson Go showed that the passenger jeep driven by Edgar Valiente was heading north of La Salle Avenue, when he miscalculated a turn, causing the vehicle to fall on its side.

Valiente was killed and his neighbor, Rommel Montejo,18, was injured.

Go said Valiente, who was pinned down by his vehicle, Montejo and their two other companions, whose identities were not available yesterday, was reported to be under the influence of alcoholic liquor.*GPB/APN

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