Christmas accident: Partas driver in fatal collision freed

DAGUPAN CITY — The driver of the Partas bus that figured in a fatal collision with a passenger jeepney in La Union on Christmas Day has been released pending a reinvestigation of the incident.

Chief Insp. Roy Villanueva, police chief of Agoo town,  said Partas driver Rodel Sadac, 43, was released on Dec. 27 along with his bus when prosecutors asked the police to reinvestigate the case.

The collision killed the jeepney driver and his 20 passengers, including 7 children, who were all on a pilgrimage to Manaoag, Pangasinan.

On Dec. 26, the victims’ relatives filed a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against Sadac at the prosecutor’s office in Agoo.

“[But the complaint] was returned to us for reinvestigation,” Villanueva said.

On Friday, a television news report broadcast a video footage showing the jeepney swerving to the opposite lane and missing a moving van, before it hit the Partas bus along  Manila North Road.

“It was clear [in the video footage]. The jeepney … encroached on the lane of the bus,” said Villanueva. “But we still have to look for witnesses,” he added.