At least 13 people, including two ministers of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), died while 14 others were seriously injured in an early morning when a closed trailer truck collided head-on with a passenger jeepney last Monday in Piat, Cagayan, a regional police commander said.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley regional policedirector, said the road accident occurred when one of the wheels of the trailer truck (TXU-276) burst while cruising the national highway at the vicinity of Barangay Villarey in Piat town at around 4:30 a.m. last Monday.

“The trailer had a tire blown out, causing the driver to lose control and so it collided head-on with the passenger jeep,” said Damian.

The passenger jeepney (BVM-337) driven by Noli Nogeras was heading to Tuguegarao City from Sto. Niño town while the truck driven by Joey Salvador was on its way to the Cagayan Robina Sugar Milling Corporation and carrying a container van.

Damian said the strong impact of the collision resulted in the death of 13 passengers of the jeepney and inflicted injuries to 14 others.

He identified the fatalities as Rosel Valiente, Eduardo Oarde, Arman Cadelina, Fatima Daliuag, Pepe Artiga, Jinky Ramos, Linsy Ramirez, Rogelio Ibarra, Rodamae Galisa, Randy Dumas, and Princess Belen, all of Sto. Nino town.

The two other fatalities are Faustino Arquero and Corazon Arquero, both INC ministers and residents of Burgos, Ilocos Sur.

Some of the fatalities died on the spot while the rest succumbed to serious injuries they sustained in the head and the body, the official said.

“All the injured persons are now confined at the St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City,” said Damian.

Chief Inspector Rotillo de Laza, Piat police chief, the passenger jeepney was total wreck. (With a report from Freddie G, Lazaro)