Raps filed vs SUV driver in bank crash

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal charges were filed against the driver of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that crashed into a bank in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon, leaving a woman dead and six others injured.

Edwin Balisong underwent inquest proceedings before the office of the city prosecutor on Friday wherein he was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said.

“Na-inquest. Kinulong na natin at kinasuhan (He underwent inquest. He has been detained and charged),” Maranan said in an interview yesterday.

Balisong drove an SUV into the bank branch along Quirino Highway in Barangay Pasong Putik, an incident that was caught by the bank’s surveillance cameras.

Balisong was moving his SUV in reverse when he hit another vehicle, which was parked in front of the bank.

The SUV then moved forward and crashed into the bank, hitting seven people, including Rosali dela Cruz, who later died in a hospital.

Citing the information obtained by police investigators, Maranan said Balisong apparently panicked and stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes.

“There was no claim of mechanical error. It is clearly a driver’s error,” he said.

Maranan said he ordered police to also look into the possibility that the SUV had a mechanical defect.

Balisong, for his part, apologized for what happened and vowed to shoulder all the expenses incurred by his victims.