Three dead and seven injured after an 18-wheeler truck plowed into five vehicles along Batasan-San Mateo Road, Quezon City, on Wednesday night, May 28.
According to the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO), three victims were initially confirmed dead—two of whom were declared dead on the spot, while the third was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
“Yung isa dinala sa Maclang na di-neclare ng sabi ng team ng Barangay Batasan dead on arrival, yung dalawa dito nasaktan, yung isa on the spot na namatay and the rest po ay nasa ospital po ng Maclang,” said Kenneth Lopez, Supervisor of the QCDRRMO Search and Rescue Team.
In the initial findings of Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Traffic Sector 5, they revealed that the truck was speeding downhill when the driver lost control of the steering wheel.
The truck's trailer separated from its container, which crashed into a center island post.
Meanwhile, the trailer head veered into the opposite lane, violently colliding with two motorcycles and an asian utility vehicle (AUV). Another vehicle and another motorcycle were also damaged in the incident.
The seven injured victims are currently receiving treatment at Rosario Maclang General Hospital in Batasan.
Authorities said that the 38-year old truck driver is now in the custody of QCPD Traffic Sector 5 and will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
In an interview with RH Val Gonzales, LTFRB spokesperson Atty. Ariel Inton stated that the agency is now coordinating with QCPD to determine whether the involved 18-wheeler truck had a valid franchise to operate.
“Dapat may prangkisa ito at mag-iisyu ang LTFRB boards sa pangunguna ni Atty. Jojo Guadiz ng show cause order at kung sakali naman sa kanilang pananaw ay kailangan maprevent iyon at masuspend ang truck,” Inton said.
The 18-wheeler truck driver apologized to the victims' families, saying he lost control of the vehicle after the brakes reportedly loose.
“Hindi ko naman po gusto mangyari nga po eh, kaya wala rin pong gusto na magkaganun,” said the truck driver.
“Humihingi po sana ako ng pasensya sa nangyari hindi ko talaga gusto iyon, sana mapatawad nila ako sa mga nangyari na iyon,” he added.
The LTFRB is coordinating with QCPD Traffic Sector 5 to further investigate the cause of the accident and to review the truck’s regulatory and operational documents.
