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LTO issues SCO vs. driver, owner of truck in EDSA bus carousel crash
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show-cause order against the registered owner and the driver of the dump truck involved in a crash early Tuesday morning that destroyed at least 16 concrete barriers and signages along the EDSA bus carousel in Quezon City.
According to a statement on Tuesday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Attorney Vigor Mendoza said the two parties were asked via a notarized letter to appear at the LTO Central Office on Monday to explain what happened.
The vehicle owner was also asked to explain why she should not be penalized for hiring a reckless driver, while the driver was asked to explain why he should not be punished for his actions.
Mendoza said the LTO is conducting an investigation to determine the causes of the accident.
“Gusto nating malaman kung bakit nagresulta sa ganitong klaseng aksidente dahil hindi normal ang ganitong klaseng aksidente kung saan aararuhin mo yung mga concrete barriers,” said Mendoza.
(We want to know what resulted in this kind of accident, because this type of accident where the vehicle plowed through concrete barriers is not normal.)
(In this specific investigation, we want to hear the side of the driver if the problem lies with him or if his work hours are too long so this occurred.)
The LTO has preventively suspended the driver’s license for 90 days, while he will be facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in damages to property.
“Failure to appear and submit written comment [or] explanation as required shall be construed by this office as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” the SCO read.
According to a 24 Oras report by EJ Gomez on Tuesday, the driver of the 12-wheeler truck that destroyed concrete barriers at the EDSA-Santolan Station could have fallen asleep behind the wheel, judging by how fast the vehicle struck the barriers.
“Nagulat na rin ako niyan kanina ang lakas din, parang lumilindol. Masasabi ko medyo mabilis kasi papaba pa siya eh. Palusong siya tapos siguro nakatulog na siya eh. Pag impact, diyan siya nagising,” said Santolan Station security guard Jay-R Mobera who witnessed the accident.
(I was surprised earlier because it was so loud, it felt like an earthquake. He was moving fast because he was driving down a slope. I guess he fell asleep. The impact caused him to wake up.)
The driver explained that he had been traveling from Porac, Pampanga to deliver a load of sand to Taguig City.
“Nakaidlip po ako, tapos ano nagulat na po ako nakaano na po ako. Nung kakabigin ko po yung manibela, 'di na po kaya. Dire-diretso na lang, po ma’am, 'di ko na po napreno… Diretso biyahe na po, kaya po pagod po tapos po, puyat,” explained truck driver Roland Castro.
(I fell asleep, then I was surprised that I crashed into something. When I tried to swerve the wheel, I couldn't anymore. I was moving straight on, and I couldn’t apply the brakes… I was driving for several hours so I was tired and lacked sleep.)
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority clarified that no casualties resulted from the accident.
However, damages to the barriers and traffic signs is estimated at more than P100,000.
Clearing operations began past 4 p.m. and lasted up to four hours. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
