1 dead, 9 hurt in 14-vehicle smashup

MANILA, Philippines — A man died while nine others were injured in a collision involving 14 vehicles in front of the Department of Science and Technology compound in Taguig City yesterday.

Ernie Sambrano died a few hours after being brought to a hospital, city police chief Col. Celso Rodriguez reported.

Company driver Conrad Toledo, 30, was driving in front of the compound in Barangay Upper Bicutan when he reportedly looked at his cell phone and stepped on the gas pedal by mistake, according to the report.

He ended up hitting six motorcycles and a Toyota Vios. The rear portion of his Toyota Innova then hit four more motorcycles, a mountain bike and an Isuzu Crosswind.

Toledo tried but failed to flee. Video footage showed him being beaten up by people at the scene.

He is now in the custody of the Taguig police and faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.