LTO imposes 90-day preventive suspension on license of SUV driver in QC bank accident

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 a motorist whose Sports Utility Vehicle crashed into a bank in Quezon City and left one person dead and six others injured on December 28.

Mendoza said the driver, as well as the female registered owner of the Toyota Fortuner, were 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.

"We in the LTO send our condolences to the family of a bank client who died as a result of this accident," Mendoza said.

He said the office of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista was already informed of the LTO action.

In the SCO issued by Hanzley H. Lim, officer-in-charge of the LTO-National Capital Region, the driver, a resident of Baliuag, Bulacan, was asked to explain through a notarized statement why he should not be held liable for the violation of Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 in connection with reckless driving, and violation of Section 27-B of the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

The maximum penalty for violation of Section 27-B of RA 4136, or Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, is cancellation of driver's license.

Based on the initial result of the investigation, the driver of the Toyota Fortuner SUV reportedly reversed the SUV outside the bank and then collided with a parked vehicle before it crashed into the BDO Novaliches-Lagro branch situated along Quirino Highway in Barangay Pasong Putik.

As a result, a female bank customer died while six other individuals in the bank sustained injuries.

The driver and the vehicle's registered owner were asked to appear before the LTO-NCR Office on 10 January.

"Failure to appear and submit a notarized affidavit at the above-stated time, day, and place shall be construed as a waiver to be heard and controvert the allegations against you, leaving this Office to resolve the case administratively based on the available records," the SCO stated.

Mendoza said the LTO's action is independent of the ongoing investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police.

"Through our investigation, gusto nating malinawan kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari na nagresulta sa nakakalungkot na insidenteng ito," Mendoza said.