AUTHORITIES on Tuesday, January 3, were tracking down the owner and driver of a vehicle that rammed into a crowd at a New Year’s Day party, killing three persons and a dozen others injured in Puerto village, Cagayan de Oro City, on Monday.
According to a police report, a Mitsubishi Strada pickup bearing plate no. KDA-679, on its way to Bukidnon, rammed into motorcycles and vehicles before mowing a group of people celebrating the New Year at 8:10 p.m., Monday, January 2, on a roadside in Purok 7, Puerto village.
The pickup driver reportedly fled from the scene and failed to surrender to the police.
Police identified the three individuals who were killed following the incident as Joseph Sarong, of Upper Kalaisan, Kidapawan City, Junrey Manigo, of Tigdok, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, and Rustanier Zarsaidas, of Barangay Patag, this city.
The three were brought to Camp Philips Memorial Hospital (CPMH) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, but police said the victims did not reach the hospital alive.
Those who were injured were Jemuel Yasay, Evelyn Yasay, Ronald Yasay, Gilbert Yasay Jr., Jasmine Yasay, Vanjou Ville Valenzuela, all of Barangay Bugo in Cagayan de Oro City, Virginia Agbo, Ralph Lumindas, Marlou Tayone, Bhing Soseth Castillo, Dan Maliguez, and Christine Yasay.
As of Tuesday, some of those who were confined at the CPMH have been discharged, said Police Officer 3 Lemuel Tecson, desk officer of the Puerto police station.
He said some of those who were brought to the hospital were not badly hurt while others have to stay for a few more days to recuperate.
Tecson said they are also conducting a search for the owner and driver of the vehicle.
Per police record, the pickup is registered to Florence Ebuna, but is owned by Carla Sofia Alquitela.
The driver of the vehicle and three of its female passengers have yet to be identified, police said.
“We are now trying to locate the owner so she can pay the financial obligations incurred in the accident,” Tecson said, adding the expenses include the victims’ hospital and funeral bills.
Tecson added the driver will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide.
