The driver of a Sports Utility Vehicle that barreled straight to a bank entrance, killing a bank client and injuring six others was charged with homicide as investigators point to human error and not a sudden acceleration as the cause of the incident last week.
Edwin Balisong, 57, of Bristol Street, Barangay North Fairview was also charged with damage to property and multiple physical injuries when his driven SUV, a Toyota Fortuner (AWA-2536) registered under the name of Ofelie Bisong, went through the BDO bank branch along Quirino Highway in Barangay Pasong Putik in Fairview, Quezon City on the afternoon of 28 December last year.
The lady bank client Rosali dela Cruz died that midnight at the Commonwealth Hospital while those who were injured were Liza Janap, Maria Papio and Hermie Ocampo, all bank clients.
Other bank employees injured were Dorothy Castillo, Jessica Susano and Edilberto Lazarez, a security guard.
Meantime, Land Transportation Office Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II on Monday said they had ordered a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver's license of Balisong.
Mendoza said the driver, as well as the female registered owner of the Toyota Fortuner, was already issued with a Show Cause Order which directs both of them to explain in writing all the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.
Investigators from the Quezon City Police District Traffic Sector-2 said Balisong erred after he bumped into a parked vehicle behind him while reversing the Fortuner outside the bank. He then tried to stop and move forward. But instead of stepping on the brake pedal, he pressed his foot on the accelerator, suddenly propelling the Fortuner straight into the bank that runs contrary to the driver's claimed that the vehicle suddenly accelerated because of a mechanical error.
Balisong's vehicle ran over seven victims inside, knocking over chairs and furniture. It also destroyed the teller's booths at the back of the establishment, before finally crashing into the bank's rear walls.
Aside from Dela Cruz, the other victims have already been discharged from the hospital, while two of them remain under medical care.
In a statement on Friday, BDO said it is closely coordinating with authorities regarding the incident and assured the victims of aid.
"The bank has provided medical attention to injured individuals and is committed to assisting them throughout their recovery journey," it wrote.
"The safety of customers and bank personnel are of utmost priority," the bank added.
