Driver of speeding jeepney that killed boy suspended

FATAL CROSSING Photograb of the footage taken by a CCTV camera shows Crisalde Tamparong’s jeepney moments before it hits several students. —FOOTAGE COURTESY OF MAKATI POLICE

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a three-month preventive suspension order against the driver and owner of the speeding jeepney that plowed into a group of students in Makati City last week, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring seven other students.

The driver, Crisalde Tamparong, and his operator will be barred from plying their route while the transport board expedites the insurance claim request for the fatality, Jules Villapando, a Grade 8 student.

The seven other students who were injured in the Feb. 12 accident are also entitled to insurance claims.

Villapando, a student at Gen. Pio del Pilar High School, was crossing the pedestrian lane on J.P. Rizal Avenue with his schoolmates when Tamparong’s jeepney suddenly overtook a car that had stopped at the intersection.

The speeding vehicle then ran against the flow of traffic before hitting the victims. Villapando died due to internal hemorrhage.

The driver later admitted to the police that he was then giving a passenger his change and failed to notice the students crossing the street.

Drug tests also revealed he was positive for “shabu” (crystal meth), according to the Makati police.

Tamparong is currently facing a slew of criminal charges, including driving under the influence of drugs and reckless driving resulting in homicide and multiple injuries.