Raps on vs driver of jeepney hit by train

CHARGES have been filed against the driver of the jeepney that was hit by a Philippine National Railways (PNR) train in Paco, Manila, Tuesday night, where one of his passengers died and five others were injured.

Still in detention on Thursday, Marlon Verdida was sued for reckless driving resulting in homicide over the death of Bernardita Matias, a clerk at M. Hizon Elementary School.

According to Benjo Basas, head of the Teachers Dignity Coalition, it took long for the police to establish Matias’ identity because “someone stole her bag” containing her IDs while the victims were awaiting medics at the accident site. A social media post by Basas helped track down the clerk’s family.

SPO2 Mario Lising, the MPD traffic investigator on the case, said the jeepney, then plying Quirino Avenue, was caught in the middle of the tracks around 7 p.m. of Jan. 12 because Verdida kept going despite hearing the siren that warned of the coming train.

The jeepney could no longer move forward after clearing the boom barrier, making the crash inevitable as the train operated by Engelbert Sagmit approached, Lising said. The impact crushed the front portion of the jeepney.