7 hurt as speeding jeepney sets off multiple collision
Seven people, including a 12-year-old boy, ended up in the hospital on Christmas Day after they figured in a multiple collision involving 11 vehicles in Parañaque City.
Traffic investigator SPO1 Reynaldo Serafica said that the accident was caused by the driver of a public utility jeepney (Isuzu minivan with plate number TEX 348) who lost control of his vehicle because he was believed to be speeding.
The suspect has yet to be identified because he escaped right after the incident which happened at 7 a.m. at the intersection of MIA Road and Emilio Aguinaldo Highway or Coastal Road in Barangay (village) Tambo.
“We have to check under whose name the minivan was registered when offices resume so we can figure out [his identity],” Serafica said.
According to a police report, the PUJ which came from Cavite was plying the northbound lane of E. Aguinaldo Highway to drop off passengers in Baclaran when it hit the vehicles ahead of it—a Toyota Vios with plate number UVU 915 driven by Rodrigo Sabio, a Toyota pickup with plate number NOR 972 driven by Diolito Pinon, a Toyota Hiace commuter van with plate number AAK 2030 driven by Cornelio Bulado Jr., and a Toyota Corolla with plate number UPN 821 driven by Doroteo Cabalejo Jr.
The four vehicles were waiting for the traffic light to turn green so that they could cross the intersection when the jeepney slammed into them.
“According to witnesses, the [jeepney] driver was going fast. If he had a brake he would have braked but he didn’t or he couldn’t. Instead, he swerved to the left to try to avoid the vehicles in front of him but he hit [them anyway],” Serafica said.
Domino effect
After hitting the four vehicles in front of it, the jeepney went on to hit a Kia Besta, with plate number USU-518 driven by Bernardo Royales, causing a “domino effect” involving a Rusi QB100 motorcycle with no plate number driven by Nilo Castaneda, a Nissan Sentra with plate number TRZ 858 driven by Joel Pascual, a Toyota Vios with plate number UWC 518 driven by Felix Tampos, and a Ford Everest with plate number TIB 559 driven by Rodolfo Lubrin Jr.
Serafica said that Cabalejo’s car, which was closest to the intersection, was hit so forcefully that it crossed over to the southbound lane and hit another jeepney (plate number DWF 984) driven by Ronaldo Co.
Injured in the accident were Ramil Tapia, 46; Lolita Castro, 66; Marissa Aliling, 41; John Paul Edrian Aliling, 12; Wilfredo R. Contemplo, 62; Pascual, 57; and Cabalejo, 41.
Serafica said that they sustained minor injuries such as scratches, bruises and bumps. They were taken to a hospital where they were treated and then released.
Senior Supt. Ariel Andrade, the city’s chief of police, said charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property would be filed against the jeepney driver once his identity was determined.
