Vandolph denies driving wayward SUV

Actor Vandolph Quizon, son of comedy king Dolphy, yesterday denied that he was behind the wheel of his SUV when the vehicle plunged into an excavation at the construction site in Quezon City the other day.

Senior Police Officer 4 Reynaldo Gonzales, officer-on-case, said Quizon called the Central Police District-Traffic Sector 3 office yesterday to belie reports that he was the driver of the maroon Ford Expedition (UTP-788).

Quizon claimed that it was Allan Araza, 31, who was driving the vehicle.

Gonzales said Quizon’s half-sister, Sally, earlier went to their office to assure them that Quizon would be appearing to give his statement on the incident.

As of press time, however, Gonzales has yet to meet Quizon and his companions, Jennifer Salimao; Rocky Quizon, Auxellano Salimao and Araza, who were onboard the SUV at the time of the accident.

Around 3:40 a.m. last Thursday, Quizon’s SUV bumped the rear portion of a Honda Civic (WAY-849) being driven by student Vincent Adil, 20, of Filinvest. The Expedition lost control and rammed the concrete barriers of the construction site for an underpass at the corner of Katipunan Avenue and Boni Serrano before falling into into the excavation which was filled with rainwater.

Quizon and his four companions sustained minor bruises in the various parts of their body and were rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) for treatment. But all five went home against medical advice (HAMA), according to a hospital nurse.

A member of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) rescue team identified as Orlando Sahun was hurt when the cable of a crane that was being used to retrieve Quizon’s SUV hit him in the his face. Sahun underwent minor surgery last Thursday night.

In late 2001, Quizon figured in a near fatal road accident in Urdaneta, Pangasinan while aboard his Ford F-150 pickup on the way to Manila from a holiday in Baguio.

Quizon was unconscious for some time as a result of the road mishap while his girlfriend Ishi Raquiza was killed.