By CESAR JOLITO III

Two individuals died, while five others were injured after a van rammed into a parked dump truck at Barangay Guimbalaon in Negros Occidental’s Silay City early Sunday morning, October 5.

Police identified the fatalities as alias Gino, 24 years old, of Silay’s Barangay Guimbalaon, and 23-year-old Jerry of La Carlota City.

The injured were identified as alias Dominador and Debbie, both from La Carlota; Blenchie from Moises Padilla; Rhea from Silay; and Clint from Bacolod City.

Initial police investigation showed the victims were on board a van driven by alias Argie, a Bacolod City resident.

They were reportedly on their way home from a resort in Lantawan to the city proper when the accident occurred in Sitio Sto. Rosario.

Police said Argie allegedly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a parked dump truck along the roadside.

The strong impact threw several passengers out of the van.

Gino was declared dead on arrival, while Jerry died at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital at 9:30 a.m. yesterday.

Others are still confined at the said health facility.

Silay police chief, Lt. Colonel Mark Darroca, said investigators found that Argie had been drinking before driving.

Argie, now in police custody, is facing charges in connection with the incident through inquest proceedings./CJ, WDJ