2 dead, 11 hurt in Quezon City bus crash

MANILA, Philippines - Two persons, including a pregnant woman, died and 11 others were injured when a passenger bus struck bystanders along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Kristine Joy San Felipe, 32, was declared dead on arrival at the Fairview General Hospital. She was five months pregnant, police said.

John Michael Mallari, 23, died at the scene as the bus hit him while he was waiting for a ride at the corner of Mindanao and Don Mariano Marcos avenues.

Those injured were Rose Ann Frag, 21; Dina Tamayo, 36; Marry Joy de la Cruz, 23; Helen Balrez, 46; Allan Valdez, 42; Joanna Niegras, 24; Kimberly Cipriano, 23; Erick Cipriano, 28; Jenalun Abuyog, 31; Marribeth Sargil, 22, and Dennis Cruz, 19.

Investigation showed that an A. Prado Transport bus (UVP-265) was traversing Barangay Sta. Monica when it swept over the sidewalk after colliding with a Nissan Urvan at around 6:45 a.m.

Bus driver Mark Joey Isidera, 25, surrendered to the Quezon City Police District’s traffic unit following the accident.

Isidera will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injuries and damage to property, police said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended eight buses of A Prado Transport following the fatal road crash.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez ordered bus operator Alberto Prado to surrender the yellow plates of the suspended buses to the agency today.

Prado was told to explain why the franchise of the bus firm should not be cancelled.

He was ordered to attend the LTFRB hearing set for May 3.

The Land Transportation Office suspended Isidera’s driver’s license, according to LTFRB board member Ariel Inton. – With Robertzon Ramirez