13 Franklin Baker workers die in van-truck head-on-collision in Sta. Cruz

A SERVICE vehicle owned by Dames Agency figured in a head-on-collision with a truck Sunday afternoon in Sta. Cruz town, leaving 14 people dead, 13 of whom were workers of Franklin Baker Corp. Four others were injured, according to the town police report. The other fatality was the van’s driver, who took the opposite lane when it crashed with the oncoming 10-wheeler truck. Franklin Baker, a major coconut processing firm, operates two factories in Sta. Cruz. Sought for comment on the incident, the company has yet to send a response as of press time. — Carmelito Q. Francisco