Bus driver in deadly Skyway crash dies

MANILA, Philippines - The driver of the Don Mariano bus that plunged from the Skyway along the South Luzon Expressway in Parañaque City has died after eight days in the intensive care unit.

A radio dzMM report said bus driver Carmelo Calatcat died at around 6 p.m. Monday at the Parañaque Doctors Hospital.

The report said Calatcat's cousin, Efren Risomadero, confirmed that the driver has already died.

The driver has three children living in Dinagat Island.

Calatcat's death brought the number of fatalities from the deadly Skyway crash to 19.

The bus was speeding on the Skyway when it went wayward and crashed into a van below the SLEx service road on Monday last week.

Police had said that the surface of the Skyway was wet as it was raining when the accident happened. Investigators also said that the front wheels of the bus were also badly worn out.

All units of the Don Mariano bus firm have been grounded by the government. 

The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group had earlier filed a case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injury and damage to property against Calatcat and the Don Mariano Transit management.

Superintendent Elizabeth Velasquez, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol,  said that with Calatcat's death, both his criminal and civil liabilities in connection with the bus crash have been extinguished.

"In a way he escaped criminal prosecution with his death. Only Don Mariano Transit faces civil liability. It would now be up to the prosecutor to determine who among the executives and owners of the bus company would be charged," said Velasquez.

Police said based on the account of witnesses, the bus was speeding when it apparently lost control, swerved and hit the wall of the skyway, flipped-up and crashed on the van.

Police added that the surface of the Skyway was wet at that time as it was raining and that the front wheels of the bus were also badly worn out.  - Mike Frialde