Zambales mayor hurt, 2 killed in bus collision

The wreckage of the Mitsubishi Estrada pickup that carried Mayor Elvis Soria of San Marcelino, Zambales. The pickup collided head-on with a Daewoo passenger bus that traversed the opposite lane along the national highway in Barangay Pamatawan in Subic town at about 2 a.m. Wednesday. Soria survived the accident but two of his companions died on the spot. ALLAN MACATUNO/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

SUBIC, Zambales–The mayor of San Marcelino town in Zambales province was seriously injured while two others were killed when their vehicle was struck by a bus here on Wednesday, police said. The black Mitsubishi Estrada pick-up truck that carried Mayor Elvis Soria, 52, collided head-on with an approaching Daewoo passenger bus along the national highway in Barangay (village) Pamatawan here 2 a.m., said PO3 Felix Laron, investigator in Subic police station.

The south-bound bus driven by Noly Ebidag Jr., 36, crossed into the opposite lane, and was the reason for the collision, Laron said. Arlan Pascasio, the truck driver, and another passenger, Manuel Rodriguez, were killed on the spot. Soria and his security aide, Ernesto Cudia, survived. According to Soria’s relatives, the mayor was admitted to the intensive care unit of Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center in Subic Bay Freeport but is already in stable condition.

Police arrested the bus driver who admitted he was drunk. Ebidag is now facing charges of multiple homicide, serious physical injuries and damage to property. CDG