Bus crushes car on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - A bus ran over and crushed a car in a smashup that involved another bus along EDSA’s northbound lane in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Dela Rosa Transit bus driver Edgardo Lelis Jr., 44, said the brakes failed on the bus he was driving as he approached the intersection of EDSA and Corregidor street.

He said he swerved to the right to avoid the bus in front of him and ended up rear-ending a Toyoto Vios, driven by Marcelino Umalin.

The impact caused the two vehicles to hit another bus, driven by Jerry Baylon, in front of them.

The smashup trapped Umalin in his car. Rescue personnel cut off the car door to get to Umalin and take him to St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Lelis told investigators that he was driving at 50 kilometers per hour, a claim that Police Officer 2 Andi Sotto refused to believe. Sotto said if Lelis had been driving at that speed, the bus would not have ended up on top of the car.

Lelis will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and damage to property.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a 30-day preventive suspension order on the franchise of the Dela Rosa Transit bus that figured in the mishap.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the board has also required all the bus firm’s drivers to undergo drug testing and attend road safety seminars within 15 days from receiving the order.