SCO issued to SUV owner, driver

The Land Transportation Office-National Capital Region on Christmas Day said it had issued a show-cause order to the owner of the sports utility vehicle involved in a road crash incident in Mandaluyong City early Saturday morning.

The Mitsubishi Montero driver (Plate No. WTQ 575) who caused the incident garnering attention on social media has also received an SCO.

Regional Director Roque I. Verzosa III issued the SCOs in response to a road crash incident that occurred at around 1:45 a.m. on 23 December  along EDSA corner United Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.

In the SCO issued by RD Verzosa, both the owner and the driver of the Mitsubishi Montero were required to explain why they should not be held liable for violations of the following traffic laws: Section 48 (Reckless Driving) of RA 4136 in relation to Rule I-e (Reckless Driving) of JAO No. 2014-0;  Section 27 (a) (Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle) of R.A. 4136; Rule II (a) (Driving an Unregistered Motor Vehicle) of JAO No. 2014-01; Section 55 (Duty of driver in case of accident) of RA 4136.

Records further indicate that the mentioned vehicle was unregistered at the time of the incident.

Verzosa stated that both the owner and the driver were also instructed to appear at the LTO-NCR Regional Office at #20 G. Araneta Avenue, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, on 4 January 2024 (Thursday) at 2 p.m., with a notarized affidavit explaining why they should not be held liable.

He emphasized that failure to appear and submit a notarized affidavit along with other supporting documents at the specified time, day, and place shall be interpreted as a waiver to contest and address the allegations, thereby authorizing their office to resolve the case based on the existing records administratively.

Meanwhile, Verzosa stated that both individuals were also informed that the registration of the Mitsubishi Montero and the non-professional driver's license of the driver would be preventively suspended for 90 days, unless resolved earlier, and this suspension is effective immediately.

According to the mentioned social media post and the incident report from PNP Mandaluyong Police Station 2, the Mitsubishi Montero's driver stalled the vehicle in the fast lane of EDSA and was observed sleeping inside.

Upon knocking on the vehicle door, the driver awoke, swiftly accelerated, ran over one Raina Frances C. Cada, and promptly fled the scene at high speed, posing a significant risk to the lives of other individuals present during the incident.

The driver is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury and violation of RA 10586 (the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013).