Family of 3 killed as cab rams trike

Three members of a family who were on their way for a vigil at a relative’s wake died after a taxi sideswiped them 10 p.m. of Wednesday along Brgy. Mali-ao, Pavia, Iloilo.

The victims were identified as Cesar Prevendido, 48, and Jessie Marie Abrasoza, 10, both of Brgy. Salacay, Cabatuan, Iloilo; and Letecia Ollosa, 19, of Rizal IIawod St., Cabatuan.

Prevendido was declared dead on arrival at the hospital while Abrasoza and Ollosa died four hours later.

PO2 Victor Laña, Pavia PNP traffic investigator, said that five others were wounded, including the tricycle driver, Houmer Gitang.

But four of them, including Gitang, were not confined in the hospital after receiving minor medical treatment.

Only Dayanara Prevendido, 18, of Rizal Ilawod St., Cabatuan, remains confined at St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo City.

Laña said that Gitang parked the tricycle at the shoulder of the road to fix one a flat tire.

As they converged within their vehicle, a speeding My Special Angel Taxi rammed unto them.

The taxi, driven by Barney Basoltin, 32, of Brgy. Sevilla, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, plowed the vehicle and shoved it 40 meters from its original position.

Basoltin, who was allegedly carrying a lone passenger, then sped off and surrendered to Iloilo City Police Station 3 in Jaro district.

Laña said that Basoltin admitted that he temporarily dozed off reason why he lost control of the vehicle. He is presently detained at the lock-up cell of Pavia Police Station pending the filing of charges against him for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and serious physical injuries and damage to property.

Early morning of the said day, another My Special Angel Taxi turned turtle after its driver dozed off along Delgado St., Iloilo.

Luckily, no one was injured.*