Welder dies after truck and car collides

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A 59-year-old welder was killed after his cousin’s truck collided with another vehicle and crashed into a ditch.

Richard Santana, of Piparo, died on the scene while his cousin Hassan Dindial, 46, suffered injuries.

According to a police report, around 9.30 am Dindial was proceeding south along the Guaracara Tabaquite Road in his 10-wheeler truck when he collided with another vehicle. Dindial then lost control of the truck that swerved off the road into a ditch.

Santana was pinned under the truck, police said.

His cousin was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital.

In a telephone interview, Santana’s sister Suzannah Santana said her brother was at home when his cousin picked him up to go on a job to transport material.

“He just went with him for company and when they were coming back home this happened.”

Describing her brother as a jolly person who “never really got angry,” she said he loved his family.

His sister said Santana, who separated from his wife, had two adult children and four grandchildren. She said he was looking forward to celebrating his 60th birthday in November.

Gasparillo police are investigating.