#killer curve

MABINAY, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- A vehicular cargo truck plunged off a cliff in Sitio Tubod along the National Highway in Brgy. Bulwang, Mabinay, Negros Oriental resulting in the loss of 15 lives, and leaving two individuals injured, rushing through a local hospital in the said municipal town last Wednesday afternoon (February 21st, 2024 -- Mabinay local time).

The male driver of the truck was identified as Mr. Antonio Boganotan Toreno, a widower and resident of La Libertad, this said province. While Ms. Jovanni Timtim Flores, also the legal age, married and a resident of the aforesaid municipal town and province. The vehicle involved in the accident was a classic Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter with the plate number GKC 455. The owner of a cargo truck is Rolindo Rusiana Decipolo Sr., who is 63 y/o, married and a local resident of the said municipal town and province.

Reports from exclusive local radio broadcasts during "11 MBPS" news and public affairs program (Mga Balita kag Public Service) in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; and "El Castigador" in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; aired through regional FM radio stations of K5 News FM, shed light on the circumstances surrounding the accident. According to these reports, the truck was en route to Brgy. Dawis, National Highway, Bayawan, Negros Oriental; passing through Mabinay town, to participate in a flea market where livestock buyers, including Mr. Toreno himself, were expected to purchase pigs, cattle and other animals.

The cargo vehicle was carrying a total of 17 passengers, all livestock buyers, when it veered off the road, crashing through a weakened concrete barrier and plummeting below the cliff. Several victims lost their lives on the spot, while others sustained injuries and were promptly transported to the Mabinay MediCare Community Hospital (MMCH) for treatment.

Preliminary investigations suggest that mechanical trouble with the vehicle may have contributed to the accident, causing Mr. Toreno to lose control as he overshot the cliff's edge in the killer bottom curve. The bodies of those who perished have been transferred to a local funeral parlor in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, where they will be released to their respective families in due course. Following after his recovery from a local hospital at MMCH, Mr. Toreno may potentially face reckless imprudence, in resulting to multiple homicide and serious physical injuries for the cargo truck driver.

Mabinay town is going through a tough time as they mourn the loss of their fellow residents in Negros Oriental. The entire region is currently affected by this sad event, and authorities are looking into what happened. The local governments of Mabinay and La Libertad are reaching out to the families of the victims and providing assistance to those impacted by the tragedy.

It is a sure wake up call of the significance of road safety and vehicle inspection, which can be later provided by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The death of a cargo truck driver in this accident is also a stark reminder of the dangers that may arise when safety measures are not considered when traveling on the road. While the said region is mourning for the lives lost and praying for a speediest recovery of the injured except those who were all died, the questions about the road infrastructure adequacy in the killer curve, and stricter enforcement of maintenance standards of vehicles to prevent such tragedies like this in the future.

For now, the Negrosanon community is coming together in sorrow, giving comfort and sympathy to the families and friends of those impacted by this tragic accident.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO COURTESY: Mabinay PNP via FB PHOTO BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

SOURCE: *https://www.facebook.com/100075741802963/videos/408052698571745/ [Referenced FB LIVE VIDEO via DYQU-FM 103.9mhz's K5 News FM: Bacolod] *https://www.facebook.com/100075741802963/videos/333246839108145/ [Referenced FB LIVE VIDEO via DYQU-FM 103.9mhz's K5 News FM: Bacolod] *https://www.facebook.com/100077560988373/videos/1572498773324661/ [Referenced FB LIVE VIDEO via DWFH-FM 97.7mhz's K5 News FM: Dumaguete] *https://www.facebook.com/100063491216677/videos/936873904702018/ [Referenced FB LIVE VIDEO via DYJL-FM 94.5mhz's Like Radio News FM: Guihulngan] *https://www.facebook.com/100050636672555/posts/953178206380060 [Referenced FB News Article via Headz Up! NegOr News - Roy August Bustillo] *https://www.facebook.com/100064130855660/posts/810254851122203 [Referenced FB News Article via DYUM-FM 89.7mhz's JU FM: K5 News FM Mabinay] *https://www.facebook.com/61552671493935/posts/122136763838089049 [Referenced FB News Article via DYGB-FM 91.7mhz's Power91FM Dumaguete - Maritoni Salvoro] *https://www.facebook.com/100002517430730/posts/7215281781898998 [Referenced FB News Article via DYEM-FM 96.7mhz's Bai Radio - Sherlyn Infante Abella] *https://www.facebook.com/61554273385471/posts/122128682336142446 [Referenced FB News Article via DYXU-FM 102.9mhz's K5 News FM: Kabankalan] *https://www.facebook.com/100069785583422/posts/725222799813900 [Referenced FB News Article via DYXL-FM 93.9mhz's iFM: Cebu] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljUp8N3sgkI [Referenced YT VIDEO via ABS-CBN News] *https://visayandailystar.com/mabinay-road-crash-kills-15/ [Referenced News Article via Visayan Daily Star] *https://digicastnegros.com/15-die-2-injured-as-truck-falls-off-cliff-in-mabinay/ [Referenced News Article via Digicast Negros] *https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219366 [Referenced News Article via Philippine News Agency] and *https://apnews.com/article/9d9e1dda7749e03974c23bdafe420cb9 [Referenced News Article via Associated Press]