HEAVY rains brought by tropical storm “Bebeng” caused a collision of three sports utility vehicles in Quezon City past midnight yesterday, killing a woman and injuring eight others.

A report from Traffic Sector 1 of the Quezon City Police District identified the fatality as Vanessa Tuazon, 25, of Paco, Manila, who was declared dead on arrival at the Capitol Medical Center.

Tuazon died following the vehicular collisions between a Mitsubishi Pajero (ZNN-196) and two Toyota Fortuners (ZLR-129 and ZEM-663) that occurred at 1 a.m. yesterday along the west-bound lane of Quezon Avenue, in front of MetroBank branch in Bgy. West Triangle.

The injured were also rushed to the Capitol Medical Center. They were Alfredo Lim, the driver of one of the Fortuners (ZEM-663); ShirlyTolentino, 52; Jennifer Tolentino, 34; Rosette Tolentino, 21; Mary Rose Tolentino, 17; Jenny Rose Buenbiaje, 16; Adrian Bautista, 14; and Jaisell Ryan Buenbiaje, 2, all residents of Marikina City.

The Tolentinos and Buenviajes were riders of the other Fortuner (ZLR-129) driven by Eduardo Tolentino, 56.

Medina said the collision took place during strong rains that made the road difficult to maneuver.

He said all three SUVs were moving on the same direction when the collision occurred near a u-turn slot.

Lim, who has Tuazon riding with him in the front seat, suddenly smashed the rear of the other Fortuner driven by Eduardo.

Because of the impact, Tuazon was thrown out of Lim’s Fortuner and hit the pavement where she was found by rescuers.

Also, Eduardo’s Fortuner flipped several times from the impact and hit the rear of the Pajero.

In the meantime, Medina said they have yet to talk to Lim, who remains confined at the hospital.