The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said it has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the driver and the registered owner of a modern jeepney which figured in a fatal road accident that left two people dead and 18 other people injured in Calumpit, Bulacan on Tuesday, 14 January.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the conduct of a thorough investigation into the matter would shed light on the circumstances that led to the death of the driver and passenger of a tricycle that was reported to have been rammed by the modern jeepney.

“First, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the two people who lost their lives as a result of this unfortunate incident. We assure them that we in the LTO [will] do everything within our power to bring justice,” Mendoza said.

“In the conduct of investigation, we want to know if there were lapses committed on the part of the driver and on the part of the registered owner in terms of keeping the modern jeepney road worthy,” he added.

Initial findings indicate that the modern jeepney was traveling along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Iba O Este, Calumpit, when the driver noticed that the brakes of the Hyundai Truck Bus (Plate No. NIF 2746) were not functioning. According to a police report, the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle but collided with an oncoming tricycle.

The impact threw both vehicles off a bridge, killing the tricycle driver and one of its three passengers. Two other tricycle passengers and several jeepney passengers, most of whom were students, sustained injuries.

The jeepney driver, identified as Orlando Dungan Jr., reportedly swerved into the opposite lane to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead. The vehicle is owned by Carmexss Jeepney Transport Service Cooperative.

The LTO Region 3 office directed the driver and registered owner to submit an affidavit explaining why they should not face administrative sanctions for the incident.

“Failure to submit an affidavit of explanation under oath at the stated time will be construed as a waiver to be heard, allowing the office to resolve the case administratively based on available records,” stated the SCO signed by LTO Region 3 Director Ronnie Montejo.

Mendoza said the driver’s license and the vehicle’s plate number would be flagged for 90 days upon receipt of the SCO.

On Wednesday, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III announced a preventive suspension against Carmexss TSC, the operator of the involved jeepney.

“We have coordinated with LTFRB Region 3 to conduct the investigation and given them 15 days to submit the results,” Guadiz said. “The unit will not be allowed to operate for 30 days while the investigation is ongoing.”

Guadiz also reminded public utility vehicle operators and drivers to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to ensure passenger and road user safety.

“Reckless driving and negligence endanger lives and carry severe penalties, including preventive suspensions and possible franchise revocations,” Guadiz warned. “Operators must consistently monitor their drivers’ compliance with road safety standards to prevent such tragic incidents,” he added.