Lawyer seeks subpoena for bus firm in Estella road mishap

The lawyer of a bus driver in the fatal car crash that killed journalist and university professor Chit Estella is seeking a subpoena for the other bus involved in the accident that took place on May 13 along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Salvador Panelo, who represents Universal Guiding Star driver Daniel Espinosa, is asking the Quezon City Prosecutors’ office to compel Nova Auto Transport to present the bus driven by their employee, Victor Ancheta, for examination.

The bus was allegedly the first to sideswipe the taxi Estella rode on that day.

He pointed out that the color scheme of the bus, one of two buses involved in the accident, was different on both sides.

Panelo said he was making the move after Ancheta submitted his counter-affidavit for the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges filed against him, as well as Espinosa, in the prosecutors’ office. The counter-affidavit included a paint analysis of Ancheta’s bus undertaken by the Quezon City Police District.

Espinosa’s bus allegedly slammed into the cab the victim was riding in along Commonwealth Avenue, also known as “killer highway.”

Espinosa’s camp had claimed that two Nova buses were racing alongside him and that one sideswiped the taxi before he rammed into its rear.

Citing the paint analysis, Panelo said the Nova color scheme on its two sides appeared to be different, with one brighter than the other. Nova buses are painted red and green.

Panelo said he was also mulling the filing of separate charges against Nova for allegedly failing to report that one of its buses was involved in an accident.