‘Killer highway’ mishap leaves 10 hurt

MANILA, Philippines—Ten people have been injured in another accident on Quezon City’s Commonwealth Avenue, dubbed the “killer highway” because of the frequent occurrence of mishaps on the thoroughfare, resulting in several deaths.

At 5:20 a.m. Tuesday, a packed passenger jeepney slammed into the back of a van in front of the UP-Ayala Land TechnoHub, the same area where journalist and University of the Philippines professor Lourdes “Chit” Estela-Simbulan figured in an accident on May 13.

Simbulan was killed when a speeding bus hit the rear of the taxi cab she was riding in. Her death prompted the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to intensify its implementation of the 60-kph speed limit on the thoroughfare.

Police Officer 2 Allan Paul Florendo of the Quezon City Police District Traffic Enforcement Group said that Tuesday’s accident happened at the U-turn slot in front of Gate 3 of the TechnoHub.

“Based on the damage incurred by the vehicles, it’s obvious they were speeding,” he added.

According to him, the Mitsubishi L-300 van with Benjamin Pacio Jr. behind the wheel had just made a U-turn and was headed for the TechnoHub when it was hit by a passenger jeepney being driven by Daniel Talledo.

He added that based on an initial investigation, the van was taking workers to a construction site near the TechnoHub when the accident occurred.

The drivers of both vehicles were not hurt but four jeepney passengers were rushed to St. Luke’s Medical Center for injuries. They were identified as Patricia Diaz, 41; Jovy Bacaniz, 39; Jessie Fernandez, 41; and Michael Basa, 39.

Six of the van’s occupants, on the other hand, were taken to East Avenue Medical Center. The police listed their names as Christopher Palomo, 27; Edwin Luna, 23; James Calica, 21; Rommel Marumbaga, 34; Romeo Pitao, 28; and Chiba Anito, 37.

Florendo, meanwhile, said they were still trying to determine who between the drivers was to blame for the accident.

“We have to investigate further who is at fault, but it’s clear that both of them exceeded the speed limit,” he added.