17 hurt in multivehicle smashup in Parañaque City

Around 20 passengers and bystanders were injured after a tourist bus rammed through a dozen other vehicles on stop in Parañaque City on Friday morning.

According to the initial investigation of the Parañaque police traffic enforcement unit, driver Ricardo Lope, 48, claimed that the brake of Classic Leisure International Travel and Tours bus with plate number TYT 831 malfunctioned while it was traversing the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard around 8:30 a.m.

The tourist bus then rammed into the rear of a van which was on stop during a red traffic signal near the corner of Airport Road in Barangay Baclaran. The impact sent the van crashing through other nearby vehicles.

The smashup involved two passenger buses, four jeepneys, four passenger vans, a taxi and two motorcycles.

The traffic accident caused heavy traffic along Roxas Boulevard. The pileup of vehicles was only cleared two hours later.

Of the 17 persons rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City, three were in critical condition after sustaining wounds in the head and body, according to Rolly Venturado of Parañaque City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Others were treated for bruises and shallow wounds.

Lope surrendered to authorities and was detained at the Parañaque police jail.  He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to properties.