MANILA, Philippines—A mad rush by a bus driver to pick up passengers ended in a three-bus smash-up that injured at least 50 people at a bus stop on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City early Saturday morning, police said.
Among those injured were the three bus drivers, who were under custodial investigation following the accident at the Philcoa area.
Superintendent Ely Pintang, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, said the injured victims were being treated at the East Avenue Medical Center.
He said the accident happened at 5:55 a.m. at a bus stop on the westbound side of Commonwealth Avenue, near the Elliptical Road in Barangay Old Capitol Site.
Traffic Sector 5 head Chief Insp. Narciso Cajipe Jr. said that prior to the smash-up, a Marikina Auto Line Transit bus (VVT 155) driven by Anthony Malangan, 58, had stopped to unload passengers. Another bus, Safeway (UVJ 465) driven by Clifford Reyes, 28, was in front, waiting for passengers.
Suddenly, a speeding Nova Auto Transport bus (TWL 693) driven by Mario Rogelio Jr., 27 came from behind and sidewiped the left side of the Marikina Auto Line Transit bus and then rear-ended the Safeway bus.
Pintang said the speeding bus was apparently in a hurry to pick up more passengers at the loading bay.
“They are racing to load more passengers, that’s why the bus miscalculated and hit the two buses ahead of him,” Pintang said.
Cajipe said investigators were checking the extent of the injuries of the victims, although no one was in critical condition as of Saturday afternoon.
He said Rogelio faced several counts of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries.
According to a radio report, the driver of Nova Auto Transport bus fled the scene but turned himself in to the police after a few hours.
While the driver was away from the scene, the report said he managed to grab breakfast first “due of nervousness” before he surrendered to the authorities.
Injured were: Felix Banigla, 57; Roger Zausa, 45; Ronnie Acadera, 32; Mariano Besana, 31; Roberto Isorena, 47; Paul Sia, 36; Roderick Caba, 34; Kenneth Losares, 22; Michael Pastor, 32; Cabrino Patrocinio, 30; Allan Clima, 24; Arme Rebeno, 24; Petrolle Ario, 47; Kenneth Quisado, 24; Rommel Libasura, 28; Francis Guyag, 21; Ronnie Bandoy, 33; Dhonor Boco, 27; James Juanito, 30; Rolly Victoria, 32; Susana dela Torre, 53; Mario Muron, 47; Rio John Laurisia, 22; Roque Carvales, 63; Liza Tunales, 40; Larry Regla, 49; Alex Gomez, 44; Hilma Arde, 49; Jenard Patulay, 26; Aljen Depositas, 21; Melchor Malilay, 33; Merlie Ocasla, 29; Sonny Domina, 30; Raniel Lopez, 50; Jeffrey Donciapan, 28: Editha Enverga, 28; Alexander Maisa, 38; Darwin Puso, 25; Leonifas Ingine, 29; Wilson Enverga, 36; Rodolfo Amores, 32; Adan Marquez, 20; Rogelio Inevado, 44; Benigno Robles, 20; Ben Tacon, 37; and two men aged 31 and 25.
All of those injured were passengers on the three buses. No one was reported injured on the ground.
Commonwealth Avenue, dubbed the “killer highway,” has been the scene of many accidents, including one that claimed the life of journalist Lourdes “Chit” Estella in May 2011.
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