Jeepney, bus drivers shift blame over QC collision that injured 10

Footage from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's CCTV showed the moment when a bus hit a jeepney on the corner of Timog Avenue in Quezon City early Sunday, injuring at least 10 people.

The footage showed the jeepney as it was speeding from East Avenue to Timog Avenue. But as it was crossing, the bus rammed into it, causing the jeepney to fall on its side.

Jeepney driver Ignacio Cadayday admitted that he tried to beat the red light but still put the blame on the bus driver.

“Naabutan na po ako ng dilaw sa gitna,” Cadayday said. “Pinagbigyan ako nung katabi niya [ng bus]. Eh tumuloy po siya. Huminto po ‘yung katabi niyang bus para makapasok po ako eh.”

But bus driver Allan Marino said he couldn’t see the coming jeepney because of two other buses before him.

“Nasa huli ako,” said Marino. “Ngayon naka-green [light] siya kaya tuloy-tuloy ang takbo ko. Nagulat na lang ako bigla lang may jeep sa harapan ko kaya nag-full stop agad ako. Pag-full stop ko doon ko lang siya ano parang natumbok siya.”

Bystanders and MMDA traffic enforcers came to the passengers' rescue. Among the victims was Rolando Viernes, who sustained burns when the taho that he was supposed to sell spilled on him.

“Ang hapdi ng katawan ko,” complained Viernes. “‘Yung bus po mabilis. Pati ‘yung jeep kasi patawid.”

Other passengers were also brought to the hospital suffering from head injuries, abrasions, and possible fractures.

It took authorities about an hour before the jeepney and bus were removed. The jeepney had a huge dent on its right side. The seats were broken and the windshield shattered. The bus’s windshield and bumper were also damaged.

Traffic investigator PO1 Wagner Acquisio said both drivers could be held liable and sued for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with multiple physical injuries, “Meron tayong tinatawag na contributory factor kasi wala naman pong mangyayaring banggaan kung walang contribution yung isang party,” he said. — BM, GMA News