The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately issue a suspension order against Solid North Bus following a fatal road crash that claimed the lives of 10 individuals and more than 20 injured.
"Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately issue a suspension order against Solid North Bus, following the fatal road crash in SCTEX earlier today," the DOTr said in a statement on Wednesday.
In an exclusive interview on Balansyado, Tarlac City Police Chief PLtCol. Romel Santos said the investigation revealed that four vehicles were already stopped at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza, waiting at the toll gate for their exit, when a Solid North bus traveling from South to North crashed into the first vehicle, a Nissan Urvan. The impact caused a chain reaction, hitting a Kia Sonet, an FAO tractor head, and a Toyota Veloz.
Due to the incident, eight passengers inside the Nissan Urvan — four minors and four adults — were declared dead. The driver, who remains unidentified, survived and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Kia Sonet and his companion also died in the crash. A minor who was with them sustained injuries.
No injuries were reported among the passengers of the FAO tractor head and the Toyota Veloz.
According to PLtCol. Santos, the driver of the Solid North bus, a resident of Malawa, Lingayen, admitted that he had fallen asleep while driving.
He is currently in the custody of the Tarlac City Police Station after undergoing a medical examination at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital, where he was treated for a head injury.
Other injured victims were brought to the same hospital for medical treatment.
The driver may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and multiple damage to property.
