3 dead, 17 hurt in 9-vehicle smashup

MANILA, Philippines — Three persons died and 17 others were injured after a passenger bus plowed into several vehicles in Quezon City on Monday night.

According to Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, the vehicular accident occurred at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Fairlane street in Barangay Fairview at around 9:37 p.m.

Citing a police report, Maranan said a Nissan bus with license plate TXY-610 was headed to Elliptical Road when it struck six motorcycles, a UV Express and a taxicab.

The bus driver, Rolly Pascua, 42, told police that he lost control of the steering wheel after the brakes malfunctioned.

Two of the fatalities – a seven-year-old girl and a 45-year-old woman – were passengers of the van. They were pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital.

The other fatality is a motorcycle rider who was pinned to death.

Seventeen people were injured and brought by rescue teams to different hospitals for treatment.

Pascua is facing complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, physical injuries and damage to property before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

Maranan urged motorists to always examine the condition of their vehicles to prevent accidents.

Pascua apologized to the victims and maintained that it was an accident.

“The brakes did not work,” he said in Filipino.

LTO summons bus driver, owner

The driver and registered owner of the bus involved in the crash are also facing administrative charges before the Land Transportation Office.

The LTO issued a show-cause order against the driver and owner of the bus over the accident.

They were ordered to appear before the LTO on May 9.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said the license of the bus driver has been suspended. The vehicle has been placed under alarm.

Mendoza said they are preparing administrative cases against the bus driver and owner, which may include reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment and improper person to operate a vehicle. — Romina Cabrera