Counterflowing jeepney hits concrete barriers after brakes fail

A driver intentionally drove his passenger jeepney down the wrong side of the road in Antipolo, Rizal after his brakes failed, EJ Gomez reported Sunday on 24 Oras Weekend.

CCTV footage showed the jeepney counterflowing down a stretch of Sumulong Highway and almost hitting an oncoming motorcycle and SUV before ramming into the concrete barriers set up in the middle of the thoroughfare.

The jeepney then hit an approaching truck, as well as the back of a tricycle and another vehicle in the opposite lane.

According to the police, the driver said he lost its brakes as it was going downhill.

“Mas minabuti po nung driver na mag-counterflow kasi medyo maluwang doon at ibinangga na lang doon sa mga concrete barrier upang huminto yung sasakyan,” said P oliceLieutenant Colonel  Ryan Manongdo, Antipolo Component City Police Station chief.

(The driver decided to counterflow because the traffic was lighter on the other side, and hit the concrete barriers to stop his jeepney.)

The jeepney also hit seven motorcycles, a car, and some tricycles before it crashed into nine concrete barriers.

“Sampu po yung binigyan natin ng karampatang lunas. Dalawa po doon ay dinala po sa ating Annex 2. Yung unang patient na nagkaroon ng laceration sa left foot. And then yung isa naman, masakit yung lower back, yung hips niya,” said Jorell Isaac Flores, team leader bravo of the Antipolo Command Center.

(Ten people were given medical attention. Two of these were brought to our Annex 2. The first patient had a laceration on his left foot while the other patient hurt his hips.)

The 45-year-old jeepney driver is currently detained in the custodial facility of the Antipolo Component City Police Station.

He declined to give a statement.  

“Siya po ay tinikitan po ng damage to property po kung saan obligado po siya na bayaran yung lahat po ng concrete barriers na kanyang nasira during the accident,” Manongdo said.

(He was charged with damage to property where he is obligated to pay for all the concrete barriers he damaged.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News