MANILA, Philippines — The truck that plowed into 19 other vehicles before ramming into a roadside bakery and a house in Santa Rosa City in Laguna province over the weekend was an old model and not registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Six people were killed while 14 others were hurt in the incident Saturday night.
“Batay rin sa imbestigasyon, ang truck na ito ay model 2000 at nirehistro bilang pampribadong sasakyan noong 2016,” the DOTr said late Sunday.
“Hindi ito isang common carrier o truck for hire. Amin ding nililinaw na hindi ni-renew ng LTO ang rehistro nito noong 2017 at 2018,” it added.
Police investigation showed that the 14-wheeler truck lost its break while running downhill on a highway
READ: 6 dead, 14 hurt in 20-vehicle accident in Sta. Rosa, Laguna
The DOTr said such accidents had prompted the department to push the truck modernization program.
The department extended its condolences to the bereaved families as it continued to probe the incident.
“Sa mga kaanak ng mga biktima, ang amin pong taos-pusong pakikiramay,” it said.
“Nakatutok ang LTO sa imbestigasyon sa insidente upang tiyaking mabibigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima,” it added.
Police have already identified the driver of the truck and are already determining his whereabouts. /cbb
READ: Cops tracking down truck driver in crash that killed 6, injured 14