Bus company involved in NLEX accident suspended —DOTr Sec. Dizon

The bus company involved in an accident on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Valenzuela City on Monday night has been suspended, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon in an ambush interview said he has approved the suspension of the bus company, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz on Dobol B TV.

The said bus company, Draven Bus, was plying the Manila-Pampanga route.

In a Balitanghali interview on Tuesday, Dizon said that cameras and witnesses were able to witness the speed of the bus driver during the accident.

“Mabigat po ito, kasi ilan ang nakikita po natin pati sa cameras at mga witness accounts sa NLEX kagabi na napakagrabe po 'yung pagmamaneho na ginawa ng driver, at kailangan maparusahan both ang operator at bus driver,” he said.

(It's serious because several cameras and witness accounts from NLEX last night showed that the driving of the driver was intense, and the operator and bus driver really need to be held accountable.)

“Titignan natin kung ano 'yung isasagot ni [operator], pero lahat ng mga penalties na puwede i-impose dito at mga sanctions, pinapa-impose na natin sa LTFRB… Hindi po tayo nagbibiro 'pag sinabi nating mag-iimpose tayo ng mga penalties sa magva-violate ng ganito,” he added.

(We’ll see what the [operator] will say, but we have already directed the LTFRB to impose all the penalties and sanctions that can be imposed… We weren't joking when we said we will be imposing penalties on violators.)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to serve the suspension order against the bus company on Tuesday morning.

On Monday evening, the bus hit a closed van and a dump truck after switching lanes on the expressway, according to a report of State of the Nation on GTV.

One of the passengers said the bus, which came from Bulacan and was going to Monumento, was running fast.

Two of the 40 passengers of the bus were hurt. The incident also caused heavy traffic in the area.

Meanwhile, James Agustin reported on Unang Balita that the crash occurred along the southbound lane of the NLEX near Valenzuela.

Due to the strong impact, the bus's windshield was shattered, and three other vehicles were involved in the collision.

“Yung bus driver, sobrang reckless talaga. Ang bilis niya magpatakbo. I was sleeping kasi and then, ‘yun, may narinig na lang ako na malakas na tunog tapos ayun. Nabasag na ‘yung salamin and sobrang bilis ng pangyayari,” said bus passenger Mark Henry Santos.

(The bus driver was extremely reckless. He was driving very fast. I was asleep when I suddenly heard a loud crash. Then the glass broke—it all happened so quickly.)

The drivers and some of the passengers involved have reached a settlement at the police station.

“Ang sabi ng company ng bus, willing sila sagutin kung ano man yung mga gastusin ng mga biktima na nasa ospital,” said PSMS Oliver Juan, a traffic investigator from the Valenzuela City Police Station.

(The bus company said they are willing to shoulder the medical expenses of the victims who were brought to the hospital.)

Authorities reminded bus drivers to refrain from driving when fatigued to prevent similar crashes.

“Kung sa tingin ninyo, di niyo pa kaya o pagod kayo sa biyahe, kailangan magpahinga muna. Wag kayong dire-diretso para makaiwas tayo sa aksidente,” he shared.

(If you feel that you’re not fit to drive or are too tired, take time to rest first. Don’t push through with the trip if you're exhausted—it’s the best way to avoid accidents.) —Joviland Rita and Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/KG/DVM, GMA Integrated News