SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur – Three persons were killed and six were injured in a collision involving two motorcycles and van before dawn on Sunday, February 25, in Barangay Gogongong, this town.

FLAMES consume a van burns as police tend to victims of a three-vehicle collision in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur north of the provincial capital Vigan City on Sunday, February 25. (San Ildefonso MPS)
Police Capt. Alberto Ramos Jr., police chief here, identified the fatalities as Honda PCX motorcycle driver Gian Marco Domingo, 27, of Barangay Balaleng Laudenia, Bantay, Ilocos Sur; and Honda NMAX motorcycle driver Rodel Palacpac of Barangay San Julian Norte, Vigan City, and his back rider, Mark Joper Tamayo, 17, of Barangay San Lucas, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.
Injured were Flor Andrie Fermato, 22, NMAX back rider and resident of Barangay Pagpandayan, Vigan City; and Dionisio R. Maristela Jr., 46, van driver and resident of Nagsabaran, San Juan, Ilocos Sur, and his four passengers Mark Rensel Riambon, Rowel Molina, 30, and Samuel Visario, 62, all residents of Barangay Nagsupotan, San Juan, and Ruben Anor of Barangay Labnig, San Juan.
Initial investigation said all the occupants of the three vehicles were under the influence of liquor when the accident happened.
The northbound van allegedly occupied the opposite lane of the highway and rammed the oncoming motorcycles.
Due to the strong impact of the collision, all the occupants of the two motorcycles slumped on the pavement and sustained serious injuries.
The van lost control and hit the concrete railings of a bridge, causing gasoline to leak out of its front side.
Police and rescuers responded immediately and were able to extricate the injured van occupants before it burst into flames.
Victims were taken to a nearby hospital where the three motorcycle occupants were declared dead on arrival and six others in critical condition.