Raps filed vs cement mixer driver

Jayson Muleta

The driver of the cement mixer that toppled over and flattened a car on Tuesday afternoon in Quezon City faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide and multiple physical injuries.

The accident which happened on the northbound lane of Mindanao Avenue left a person dead and four others, mostly children, injured.

Ulysses Ramos, 35, who was driving the white Honda Brio, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. His wife Marife and children Eulariza, 12; Eugene, 8; and Enrico, 4, suffered injuries.

The driver of the cement mixer, 27-year-old Jayson Muleta, underwent inquest proceedings in the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday.  He was temporarily detained at the District Traffic Enforcement Unit Sector 6 office of the Quezon City police.

Muleta told authorities that the brakes of the truck owned by Top Star Mix Ready Concrete had failed. After his vehicle hit the rear end of Ramos’ car around 4:30 p.m., Muleta  steered the truck to the left toward the center island to avoid hitting more cars, said case investigator PO3 Antonio Tabios.

A cement mixer crashes into a white Honda Brio car traversing Mindanao Avenue on Tuesday. Photo from MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago

The truck, however, toppled over as it went up the center island, crushing the Ramoses’ car.

Employees of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology were the first on the scene since the accident happened in front of its headquarters.

Meanwhile, Transportation Undersecretary Tim Orbos said that all truck drivers should be retrained and pass driving exams before being allowed on the road.

He added that in the next six months, the department would push for the mandatory phaseout of trucks above 15 years old as well as implement an inspection system to determine their roadworthiness. —JOVIC YEE