Pileup claims four lives

JAKARTA (JP): Four people were killed and nine others seriously injured in a five car pileup on the Tangerang-Merak toll road Sunday.

Police sources said the victims were Henki, 21, Venny, 44, Joseph Sumolang, 45, and his daughter Dewi, 2.

All were Jakarta residents, Antara reported.

Those injured were Noorca Ningsih, 30, Mrs. Musopi, 70, Doni Sumolang, 17, Ubay, 12, Novi Hendri, 20, Irwan, 37, Hermanto Wijaya, 35, Tuharjo, 45, and Een Martiningsih, 35.

The injured and the bodies were rushed to the state-owned General Hospital and the privately-owned Qadar hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the collision was caused by a Kijang van driven by Henki failing to overtake a speeding Daihatsu Espass van. The two vehicles collided forcing the Kijang van into another lane where it hit a Timor sedan carrying Tuharjo and his wife. The Daihatsu Espass van also jumped lanes, hitting a Toyota Crowm sedan driven by Irwan.

Irwan's car then hit the Kijang van driven by Joseph Sumolang, killing him and his daughter Dewi.

Police records show it was the second pileup on the toll road during Ramadhan. The first chain collision, involving 12 vehicles, happened on Jan. 31. No casualties were reported in the first accident. (sur)