2 dead, 11 hurt as bus plows into crowd

SIDEWALK SHOCKER The victims were just waiting for a ride when this Prado Transport bus went off-road after sideswiping a van. LYN RILLON

Two commuters who were just waiting for a ride, including a pregnant woman, died after being hit by a bus driven by a 25-year-old on Friday morning on Commonwealth Avenue, a major Quezon City thoroughfare notoriously known as “Killer Highway.”

Eleven others were injured when the Prado Transport bus (UVP 265) first sideswiped a UV Express van before plowing into a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk in Novaliches.

The fatalities were identified as John Michael Mallari, 23, from Pampanga province; and Kristine Joy San Felipe, 32, of Barangay Sta. Monica, Novaliches, who was five months pregnant.

Based on the police investigation, the bus hit the side of the van (UVR 695) as they were both making a turn from Mindanao Avenue Extension going to southbound lane of Commonwealth in Sta. Monica at 6:45 a.m.

Because of the impact, the van veered to the right lane while the bus hit the pedestrians before crashing into a stall selling coconuts, according to SPO1 Rabindranath Sierra of the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Traffic Enforcement Unit Sector 2.

Mallari was killed on the spot while San Felipe was declared dead on arrival at Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center, where the injured passengers and bystanders also received treatment.

The bus driver, Mark Joey Isidera of Caloocan City, surrendered to the QCPD and was set to be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property.

The UV Express driver, Edwin Aninom, 37, of Batasan Hills, Quezon City, was cleared of any liability.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended the franchise of Prado Transport for the Fairview-Ayala route, which covered eight buses.

LTFRB board member Ariel Inton said the operator, Thelma Galang, gave assurance that her company would provide assistance to the victims over and above the insurance claims.

The probationary employment of the driver, who has been with Prado Transport for four months, will also be terminated, Inton said.

LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez, who visited the victims at the hospital, said San Felipe, who was then on her way to work, was hit by the bus just seconds after her husband Ardwin bade her goodbye and started walking back to their house after accompanying her to the waiting area.

The injured were identified as Rose Ann Fraga, 21; Dina Tamayo, 36; Mary Joy dela Cruz, 23; Helen Baldres, 46; Allan Valdez, 42; Joanna Lorraine Niegas, 24; Kimberly Cipriano, 23; Erick Cipriano, 28; Jenalyn Abuyog, 31; Maribeth Sargil, 22; and Dennis Cruz, 19.