1 dead, 6 hurt as bus slams into AUV on NLEX

A conductor was killed after a bus hit the rear of an AUV on the southbound lane along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Valenzuela City early yesterday.

Inspector Ronald Perilla, Valenzuela Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) chief, identified the fatality as Emimar de la Cruz, 32, an employee of Partas Transportation Corp. and a resident of Bangued, Abra.

De la Cruz sustained a gaping wound on the right armpit and was declared dead on arrival at the MCU Hospital in Caloocan City due to severe loss of blood about an hour after the accident.

Perilla said six others, all passengers of the AUV (DRV-266), including driver Bert Ferma, suffered minor injuries in various parts of the body and were also taken to the MCU Hospital for treatment.

They were identified as Alejandro Rodriguez, 49; Milagros Rodriguez-Nazar, 44; Purification Lising-Lopez, 48; Carlito Hermoso, 39; Michelle Bautista, 24; and Andre Constantino, three, all residents of Alfonso, Cavite.

SPO1 Benjamin Bautista, officer-on-case, said the incident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. as a Manila-bound Partas bus (TWG-743) and the AUV were traveling on the same lane in Lawang Bato and Canumay East in Valenzuela just before the Balintawak Toll Plaza.

Police said Partas bus driver Onofre Montero, 48, attempted to overtake the slower-moving passenger van, but miscalculated. Probers said the bus’ tachometer showed it was traveling at a speed of 95 kph, which was well within the speed limit.

The bus clipped the left rear end of the AUV, sending the bus out of control toward the center island dividing the northbound and southbound lanes.

The AUV ended up on the shoulder of the highway.

Valenzuela traffic enforcer Emmanuel Doma said the bus conductor, who was asleep on the jump seat beside the driver, was thrown from her seat by the impact and landed heavily by the bus door.

The right portion of the bus’ windshield was shattered while the AUV’s left side was left crumpled.

Doma said it took some time before rescuers from the NLEX Traffic Management Center were able to open the bus door and administer first aid to De la Cruz.

When extricated, the bloodied bus conductor was overhead still talking feebly with his driver.

Investigators said charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple injuries and damage to property are being readied against the bus driver.