The Land Transportation Office (LTO), under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) led by Secretary Vince Dizon, has summoned the driver and registered owner of a mixer truck involved in a viral road crash in Bataan.
The incident occurred on August 7 in Barangay Bangal, Dinalupihan town, where the truck was seen ramming vehicles parked along the road, hitting an eatery, before plunging into a ravine. A video of the crash showing the driver attempting to maneuver the truck and then jumping out quickly spread online.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s directive to hold accountable those who compromise road safety, the LTO took swift action.
"We already issued a show cause order against both the driver and the owner of the truck to ask them to explain why they should not be sanctioned, especially on the aspect of always ensuring the road worthiness of the motor vehicle," said LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II.
Furthermore, the truck was placed under alarm status to prevent any transactions with the agency pending the outcome of the investigation.
The show cause order (SCO), signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante, calls on the driver to explain why he should not be penalized for reckless driving and for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.
"The incident highlighted the importance of our regular surprise and random inspection on trucks, due to cases of road crashes involving this type of vehicle. But we cannot cover all of them and this investigation should serve as a warning of consequences of the owners failing to ensure the road worthiness of their motor vehicles," Mendoza noted.
