By Danny Estacio GUMACA, Quezon – Five persons were killed when the vehicle they were riding collided with a truck along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bamban here early Saturday. Police here said all those who perished were passengers of an Asian utility vehicle (AUV), which was observed to have swerved into the opposite lane of the highway at around 5:45 a.m., and collided with an Isuzu truck driven by Gerome Melacura Villar, 40, a resident of Tariji, Tarlac City. Police added that Villar tried to avoid hitting the AUV, but his effort turned futile. The victims were all taken to the Gumaca District Hospital by responding members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the local police. Those who were killed in the accident were identified as Jimmy Cordovez Bron, 42, driver; and his passengers Francisco Butardo, Razel Born, Emmanuel Junel, and JM Bron. Still being treated in the hospital were Fritcie Butardo, 14, Fatima Butardo, 20, Ulpiano Clores, 35, and Edna Butardo, according Patrolman Alejandro Beluz Jr, the officer on case of Gumaca PNP. Villar is now at the Gumaca Police Station where he is awaiting charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to property.