7 hurt as UV Express van collides with truck in Antipolo

Seven people were injured after a UV Express van slammed into a truck in a multi-vehicle accident along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Antipolo City on Monday.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s “24 Oras” report, four vehicles– an 18-wheeler truck, a UV Express van, a motorcycle, and a tricycle– figured in the accident that occurred in Barangay San Roque at around 10 a.m.  

Antipolo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) PIO Enrilito Bernardo Jr. said the UV Express driver was badly hurt after his legs were pinned to the wreckage of his vehicle.

Police said the truck driver is under their custody pending the results of the investigation but  clarified he is not under arrest.

Antipolo Police Chief Colonel Ryan Manongdo said initial investigation and witness statements showed that the UV Express van attempted to overtake but was unable to return to his lane and hit the truck instead.  

“Ang direksyon ng truck nasa lane niya siya pero yung ebidensya nasa side ng truck. Ibig sabihin, sa side ng truck nagkaroon ng impact. Ibig sabihin nun at sinususportahan ng witness na nag-overtake yung UV Express at hindi na niya naikabig pabalik sa sariling line kaya tumama sa linya ng truck,” said Manongdo.

(The evidence we gathered showed the truck was in the right lane. Witnesses saw the UV Express attempt to overtake but the driver failed to re-enter his lane and hit the truck.)

Tammy Cerna, the truck driver, said he lost control of his vehicle after the UV Express van came into contact with his vehicle. 

“Umiwas ako sa gilid dire-diretso pa rin siya sa alin...Umiwas ako pero timumbok pa rin niya ako...Sinalubong ako. Pagkabangga niya sa akin nawalan ako ng kontrol,” he said. 

(I tried to avoid him but he continued driving to my lane. The UV van slammed against my truck and I lost control.)

The truck slammed into a Meralco post that collapsed due to the impact, causing power interruption in the area as well as debris and wires strewn along the road. This caused traffic build up which began to ease after 1 lane was opened at 2 p.m.

GMA Integrated News sought the UV express driver for comment but he is currently undergoing medical treatment. —RF, GMA Integrated News