By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Three people were killed while 37 others were injured after a driver of a public utility jeepney (PUJ) lost control and crashed into a tree in Barangay Malatas in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town, on Friday afternoon, November 11.

Police identified the fatalities as 32-year-old Rutchelle Visitacion, 72-year-old Elma Baynosa, and 63-year-old Araneta Agravante, all residents of the said town.

Calatrava police chief, Major Lumyaen Lidawan said, based on their investigation, the driver, 53-year-old Jose Jequito Florencondia, lost his brakes while traveling along a downward slope.

The PUJ slammed into a large Gimelina tree.

The 37 injured passengers were immediately rushed to different hospitals in northern Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, Florencondia could face charges related to physical injury for the incident./DGB, WDJ