MMDA street sweeper injured in EDSA-Ortigas Flyover hit and run

A street sweeper of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was rushed to a hospital after he was injured in a hit and run on the EDSA-Ortigas Flyover on Sunday morning.

The victim was identified as Rolando Ebol, who was on duty when the incident happened past 9 a.m. Sunday. Authorities said CCTV footage was down when the incident happened, but a concerned motorist had footage that shows the supposed vehicle involved.

Ebol was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City for treatment. His family had also already been notified of the incident.

“Tumingin po ako sa kotse na... old model. ‘Pag tingin ko, bumukas siya ng pintuan, sinilip niya, ‘pag silip niyang ganon, nakita niya siguro na nakabulagta na ‘yung tao,” the concerned motorist said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

“‘Pag tingin ko sa kanya sinarado niya ‘yung pintuan niya then naka-hazard pa siya, sabay alis siya,” the motorist added.

(I looked at the vehicle... an old model. They opened the door and checked on the victim and saw him sprawled. When I looked again, they closed the door. The vehicle's hazard lights were on then it sped away.)

For its part, the MMDA urged the motorists to be cautious and to be courteous to street sweepers as they do not take up much of the street space.

“Nasa gilid naman, hindi naman gumigitna ‘yung mga street sweeper na ‘yan, so there’s no reason for you. Tapos ang luwang luwang ng traffic, hindi naman siksikan, kaya nagtataka kami bakit mo pa masasagit,” MMDA Traffic Czar Edison Bong Nebrija said in the same report.

(Our street sweepers do not take up the middle of the street and the traffic conditions were clear, there weren't too many vehicles so we are wondering why the street sweeper would be hit.)

Authorities are now looking into the footage reported by the concerned citizen, and the suspect may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News