4 injured in jeepney accident

A packed jeepney which was speeding fell on its side in Antipolo City Thursday morning, leaving four of its passengers injured.

Senior Insp. Christopher dela Peña, city police community precinct 1 commander, told the Inquirer that the passenger jeepney (plate number TWA 197) was plying the Cogeo-Cubao route on Marcos Highway at around 1 a.m. when the accident occurred.

At that time, there were 10 people on board, including the driver who was identified as Joselito Lappa.

“Lappa was driving very fast. What happened was at one point, he lost control of the vehicle.  In the end, the jeepney tipped [over] on its side,” Dela Peña said.

Of the nine passengers, four sustained injuries in several parts of the body. They were identified as Estrellita Magtuba, Evelyn Ribato, George Baldo Hinog and Bobby Dizon.

They were taken to Amang Rodriguez Medical Center for treatment and were expected to be released Thursday afternoon.

Lappa, on the other hand, was taken into custody by the police.

Dela Peña said charges of reckless imprudence would be filed against the driver should any of the passengers decide to file a case against him.

Meanwhile, the relatives of actor Joseph Bitangcol and his five companions were set on filing charges against the driver of the dump truck which hit their sport utility vehicle in Antipolo City the other day.

Supt. Rodino Elfa, city police chief, said in a phone interview that the relatives of the actor and the other victims had agreed to charge Victor Deltran, 22, with reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries.

Deltran was driving the dump truck that sideswiped the Mitsubishi Montero Bitangcol and his companions were riding in at around 4:40 a.m. on Wednesday on Sumulong Highway.