Sanctions loom for bus firm, driver in EDSA-Ortigas accident

Sanctions loom for the owner and driver of the bus that figured in an accident that halted traffic after crashing at a flyover along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue Wednesday afternoon. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) sent a show-cause order to the "Don Mariano" bus firm and driver Florencio Beron to give their side on the incident, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. At least eight people were injured after the bus driven by Beron crashed at the EDSA-Ortigas flyover, supposedly after Beron lost control of the bus because he was texting while driving. LTFRB chairman Jaime Jacob was quoted in the report as saying he may recommend to the Land Transportation Office the cancellation of Beron's driver's license. Jacob also said the LTO is studying conducting drug tests and seminars for the bus firm, as well as the suspension of a fifth of the company's fleet while the probe is ongoing. Bus driver in flyover accident tries escape Beron almost escaped from police custody as he managed to sneak out of the Mandaluyong City police's traffic office but was eventually caught, radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported Thursday. Presently, Beron faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injury and damage to property for Wednesday's incident. The report said traffic police who were tipped off that Beron had sneaked out of their office launched a search for him and found him hiding behind a post. Passengers of the bus Beron was driving had said he was busy texting near the EDSA-Ortigas flyover when a motorcycle passed in front prompting him to hit the brakes. The bus went out of control and hit the edge of the flyover, disrupting traffic in the area for hours. Meanwhile, the Don Mariano bus firm promised to help the victims of Wednesday's incident. The firm sent a representative to the Victor Potenciano Medical Center in Mandaluyong City Wednesday night to talk to the victims. Only one of the injured remained at the hospital as of Thursday – a motorcycle rider who the bus hit before the bus crashed at the flyover, the report said. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Don Mariano bus will have to pay for the damage caused to the flyover. "Dahil kasalanan ng driver nila, tinumbok ang 'di dapat sirain... at siyempre babayaran yan ng may-ari ng bus company," DPWH undersecretary Romeo Momo said in an interview on dzBB radio. — LBG, GMA News