LTFRB Suspends UV Express After QC Multi-Vehicle Collision

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the operation of a UV Express involved in a multi-vehicle collision in Quezon City on Friday, 17 October, which left one person dead and 14 others injured.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO), which initially imposed a 90-day suspension on the driver’s license, eventually revoked it. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) booked the driver, Ruel Dela Cerna, 51, for Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide, Multiple Physical Injury, and Multiple Damage to Property.

Dela Cerna was driving a Mitsubishi Adventure UV Express eastbound along Commonwealth Avenue from Elliptical Road toward Fairview when he suddenly lost control. The vehicle rammed into 14 motorcycle riders, continued forward, and later made a U-turn at Tandang Sora Avenue, colliding with several other vehicles. Four additional individuals were injured and received prompt medical attention.

QCPD Traffic Enforcement Unit personnel secured the area, coordinated with emergency responders, and conducted an on-site investigation.

LTFRB Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said a show-cause order (SCO) was issued against the UV Express owner, requiring an explanation of why the franchise should not be revoked. The owner is also facing a separate case for hiring a reckless driver who fled after the incident.

“The owner of this particular unit has a lot of explaining to do because of that incident. We will determine, during the investigation, why the driver of that UV Express reacted that way, resulting in death and multiple injuries,” Mendoza said.

The police report noted, “He continued to accelerate and repeatedly drove recklessly, circling from the eastbound to the westbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue and vice versa, bumping into other vehicles and causing injuries to several victims in his attempt to evade apprehension.”

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said the agency imposed a perpetual disqualification on Dela Cerna’s driver’s license following orders from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez.