MANILA, Philippines -- A 27-year-old employee of a telecommunications firm was seriously hurt when the car she was driving slammed into a dimly-lit passenger loading area along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City early Tuesday.

Aileen Malapitan, an employee of Smart Telecoms and resident of 31 Times Street, Hobard Homes, Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City, is still in critical condition at the Far Eastern University Hospital.

Police Officer 3 Edgardo Talacay, case investigator, said the victim fell unconscious immediately after she was retrieved by rescuers from her Toyota Corolla (UHJ 934).

“The doctors said she suffered severe head and neck injuries. They said she was fortunate to have she survived the accident,” Talacay said over the phone.

He said the victim was driving along Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay (village) Old Balara on her way home at around 3:55 a.m. when she suddenly crashed into the concrete loading bay built by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Because of the impact, Malapitan’s head hit the steering wheel while her legs were pinned between the crushed metal parts of the car.

“Apparently, Malapitan did not notice the loading bay because it’s really dark in that area. It also did not have any reflector stickers,” Talacay said.

Talacay said motorists have been complaining about the MMDA passenger loading bays along Commonwealth Avenue.

Aside from causing accidents, he said the concrete structures were also stalling traffic along the highway.

Based on the records of the Quezon City Traffic Sector 5, at least three accidents happen in the area every week.

Just last week, Talacay said one of their colleagues was killed when the motorcycle he was riding in slammed into the same loading bay.