Traffic mishap causes ethanol spill in Makati

An Isuzu tanker truck carrying ethanol plowed through a center island along Edsa in Makati City before dawn yesterday, spilling alcohol on both lanes of the thoroughfare.

Driver Sonny Labasan, 41, was slightly injured in the accident, which took place at around 2:55 a.m. The spill stalled traffic for hours.

Station Traffic Enforcement Branch chief Superintendent Victor Loares said Labasan was driving the truck, owned by KIZ Enterprises, on Edsa’s southbound lane when he swerved to the right to allegedly avoid a passenger bus.

The vehicle then rammed the center island near the Ayala Tunnel fronting a Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) power substation in Barangay Urdaneta.

Loares said the ethanol spilled from the truck. Makati firefighters and rescue workers helped clean up the spill while Metro Manila Development Authority personnel helped tow the truck and fix the flow of traffic.

The police are expected to file charges of reckless impudence resulting in damage to property against Labasan before the Makati city prosecutor’s office.