LABO, Camarines Norte -- Three persons died and nine others were seriously injured when a ten-wheeler truck crashed on four houses, a store, and a shade house in Purok 3, Sitio Mineral, Barangay Talobatib, here, at noon of February l3.

        Dead on the spot was Erwin Samonte, 42, married, and owner of the store, after he was dragged by the truck with plate RES 397 registered with GBI Trucking Services, Quezon City. According to a relative, Samonte was to celebrate an anniversary with his family when the tragedy struck.

        Amparo Salvador, 57, married, and buying goods at the time of the incident, lost her left leg while doctors at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital were unable to save Heminia Espina.

        Those injured and brought to the same hospital included truck helpers, Joeffrey Absalon, 33; Luis Cruz, 40, and driver, Eugene Lagasan 26, resident of Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Among those suffering injuries from Talobatib were: Jocelyn Magana, 37, her kids, Shiena Marie, 7, and Cedric, 8; Gregorio Eleazar, 72; Jeric Gadil, 4, and Raymong Espina, l3.

        Residents suspected that the driver might fallen asleep slept while driving causing him to lose control of the vehicle on a curve.

        Juan Mel Dizon, four months old, who was asleep behind the store with her mother cleaning the dishes, survived the accident.

        Meanwhile, P/Sr. Insp. Nelson Ricerra, Labo police chief, told Bicol Mail that the payloader driven by Jose Villafranca, 54, resident of Labo, that pulled the ten-wheeler truck, turned-turtle at a curve on its way home and Villafranca had to be brought to the hospital for treatment.