LTO issues show-cause order vs. driver, owner of bus in Fairview, QC accident

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said it has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the driver and the owner of the passenger bus that was involved in a Quezon City road accident where at least three people died.

According to the LTO, both were asked to appear before the LTO-National Capital Region office on May 9 with a written and notarized explanation regarding the incident.

“Failure to appear and submit the notarized affidavits at the above-stated time, day, and place shall be construed as a waiver to be heard and controvert the allegations against you, leaving this Office to resolve the case administratively based on the available records,” the LTO said in a statement, citing the SCO.

Meanwhile, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the bus driver’s license was already preventively suspended for 90 days while the Nissan bus was placed under alarm.

“We are already conducting a thorough investigation into the matter and part of this investigation is the summon sent to the driver and registered owner of the passenger bus to appear before the probe team of the LTO,” Mendoza said.

On Monday night, three individuals died while 17 others were injured in an accident involving a passenger bus, a UV Express, a taxi, and five motorcycles in Fairview, Quezon City.

The bus hit the motorcycles, then the UV Express, then the taxi past 9 p.m. at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Fairlane Street.

The LTO said that initial investigation showed that the bus lost its brakes.

In the show-cause order, the LTO said the driver and the bus owner are facing administrative cases that include reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment, and improper person to operate a vehicle.

Meanwhile, the LTO said police authorities are now preparing to file a complaint against the bus driver.

Mendoza said the cases filed by the police would be separate from those filed by the LTO. —KG, GMA Integrated News