SUV crashes into Caloocan school lobby; 6 students, 1 staff hurt

An SUV crashed into the lobby of a private school in Caloocan City on Thursday afternoon, injuring seven people, including six students and a campus staff member, according to the police.

The incident happened during the time of dismissal in the school around 4 p.m., GMA Integrated News’ Bea Pinlac reported on Unang Balita Friday.

The mother of one of the victims said her husband and eight-year-old child were outside the school entrance when the SUV suddenly rammed into the building.

“Nagulat ako. Tumawag yung husband ko sa akin. Sabi niya, ‘Mahal naaksidente kami.’ Shocked talaga ako, hindi ko alam kung ano pa yung pwedeng mangyari,” she said.

(I was shocked. My husband called me. He said, 'Honey, we've been in an accident.' I was really shocked, I didn't know what else could have happened.)

The SUV driver is a 70-year-old man.

Caloocan Police - Investigation and Detective Management Section acting chief Police Captain Romel Caburog said the driver was picking up his granddaughter from the campus.

“Accidentally niya po na naapakan yung accelerator ng sasakyan kaya pumasok doon sa education, business building ng naturang school. Ang natumbok po talaga yung female student na 13 years old,” Caburog said.

(He accidentally stepped on the accelerator and the SUV entered the education, business building of the said school. The one who was badly hit was the 13-year-old female student.)

The victims as well as the driver—who became ill due to shock—were brought to the hospital. 

Police said the victims are now undergoing treatment and are in stable condition, while the driver has been discharged from the hospital. 

The driver is now under the custody of the city police.

According to the driver, he was stepping on the brakes, but the vehicle sped up instead.

“Nakahinto na kami doon sa tapat ng entrance ng school. Pinepreno ko pero hindi ko naman natapakan yung silinyador, nag-wild, dire-diretso doon. Buti nakabig ko sa kaliwa, kung hindi mga bata ang daming madadali doon,” the driver said.

(We stopped right in front of the school entrance. I stepped on the brakes, I didn't hit the accelerator; but the vehicle went wild and went straight into the lobby. Good thing I turned left, otherwise a lot of children would have been hit.)

“Nakakondisyon naman ako. Hindi naman ako antukin. Hindi ko naman kagustuhan din yung nangyari,” he added.

(I'm in good shape. I'm not sleepy. I didn't want what happened.)

The driver vowed to help with the medical expenses of the victims.

Still, the Department of Transportation said that the driver’s license would be suspended for 90 days following the show cause order issued by the Land Transportation Office. 

“Responsibilidad ng mga driver na tiyaking maayos ang kanyang kundisyon at ng kanyang sasakyan. Paulit-ulit na bilin ng Pangulo na priority dapat ng mga driver ang kaligtasan ng mga motorista at pedestrian,” said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon in a statement. 

(It is the responsibility of drivers to ensure that their condition and their vehicle's condition are good. The President has repeatedly reminded them that the safety of motorists and pedestrians should be their priority.) 

The driver may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property. —Joviland Rita and Vince Angelo Ferreras/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News