astigbet LTO suspends license of truck driver over C5 crash

MANILAastigbet, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the driving privileges of a truck operator following a deadly collision on C5 Road in Taguig City on December 20.

The LTO on Saturday, December 19, said that the driver's license would be suspended for 90 days, and the truck involved in the accident would be flagged as "under alarm" while the investigation continues.

“We have issued a Show Cause Order to both the driver and the registered owner of the truck, requiring them to explain why they should not face penalties under existing laws and traffic regulations,” LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza said in a statement.

The show-cause order, signed by LTO Law Enforcement Service Director Eduardo de Guzman, requires both the driver and the truck’s registered owner to appear at the LTO Central Office in Quezon City on December 27.

“Failure to appear and submit your written answer will compel this office to resolve the matter based on the available evidence on record,” the order read.

According to the LTO, the driver has been asked to submit a notarized explanation as to why his license should not be revoked for violations of reckless driving and for being deemed unfit to operate a motor vehicle.

They are also joined by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez and Committee on Transportation chair Romeo Acop.

“We trust your office will prioritize this matter and act swiftly to protect the integrity of our nation’s legal and economic systems,” the lawmakers said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the registered owner or operator of the truck has been instructed to justify why they should not be held administratively liable for employing a reckless driver.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck collided with at least four vehicles along the southbound lane of C5 Road near Palar Tunnel in Barangay Pinagsama, Taguig City, at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19.

The accident left one person dead and two injured. astigbet