Truck driver in deadly QC road mishap charged

Authorities on Thursday reported the arrest of the driver of a truck that crashed into multiple vehicles along Batasan-San Mateo Road in Quezon City late Wednesday, killing three people.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the driver as alias “Eruel,” who is now in custody.

Earlier reports said that the suspect — driving an Isuzu 10-wheeler truck — claimed that the vehicle experienced brake failure around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday while traveling from IBP Road towards Marikina City.

Police said the truck reportedly lost control, causing its container to detach and fall onto the center island in front of a Shell gasoline station near Northview Villas in Barangay Batasan Hills.

The front of the truck then collided with the rear of a Toyota Vios. It veered into the opposite northbound lane, struck a Meralco street light post, and then crashed into three motorcycles, instantly killing one rider.

A second fatality, a male pedestrian waiting at a nearby shed, also died at the scene. The truck further collided with an unattended Mitsubishi Xpander and the generator of a Robinsons Easymart, causing damage to the properties.

Two men who died at the scene were identified as residents of Batasan Hills and Novaliches, both in Quezon City while seven other people sustained injuries and were taken to Rosario Maclang Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center.

One of the injured, a 38-year-old man from Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

All other injured victims have since been discharged from medical care.

QCPD officer-in-charge P/Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said the truck driver will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.

Silvio extended condolences to the victims’ families and reminded motorists to thoroughly inspect their vehicles before traveling, especially heavy vehicles, emphasizing regular maintenance and roadworthiness checks.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will issue a show cause order to the truck owner and is considering suspending the franchise.

LTFRB spokesperson Atty. Ariel Inton told reporters that the agency is verifying if the truck had a valid franchise.

He added that the driver apologized to the victims’ families and claimed he lost control due to brake failure. The truck was carrying construction materials from the pier and was en route to Marikina City.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims pending notification of their families.

In other developments, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) preventively suspended for 90 days the license of the truck driver.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said the Isuzu Tractor Head with Plate No. JAG8962 is placed on alarm pending the resolution of this investigation, adding that the suspension and alarm were already stipulated in the show cause order sent to the registered owner of the truck and the driver.

“On behalf of the men and women of the LTO, I express my sincerest sympathies to the family of the victims. I assure them that we will focus on the investigation to give justice to their loved ones,” Mendoza said.