A manhunt was underway for the driver of a red Daihatsu truck, license plate L192615, who is suspect of reckless driving that resulted in the death of at least 11 people in a horrific accident in Las Yayas de Azua, Diario Libre reported. Ángel Encarnación Bautista would eventually turn himself to the Digesett agency in Azua. Around 40 others were injured. Six persons have been identified of the victims toll.
The driver, first identified as Angel “Patico,” reportedly had fled the scene after the truck plowed into a group of people gathered outside a beer establishment on the Azua-San Juan highway at around 1am on Sunday, 1 September 2024. Diario Libre reported that a video shows a speeding truck loaded with avocados ramming into the bar-lounge.
The truck veered off the road in the Bastida area, striking and killing several innocent individuals who were drinking out or inside the business. The impact also left many others seriously injured. Diario Libre reports that the injured were taken to the Alejandro Cabral public hospital in San Juan de la Maguana and the Taiwan hospital in Azua.
National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira confirmed that authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. While the exact circumstances of the tragedy are still under investigation, preliminary reports indicate that the driver’s assistant, Ysmailin Santana, was apprehended first and is also in the custody of the Public Ministry.
Authorities are continuing to gather information and update the casualty count as they conduct further investigations in Azua and San Juan.
The truck involved in the accident has been seized by the Public Ministry for further analysis and forensic examination.
Listin Diario publishes the grim detail that there have been 8,600 road deaths in the past five years. The main reason behind it all could be the lenience in the government in applying the laws that would enhance and enforce road safety. The accidents create family tragedies but also directly impact taxpayers because most cases are treated in public hospitals at a very high cost.
Read more:
Noticias SIN
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
KTLA/AP
2 September 2024