Ex-solon Ranjit Shahani hurt in Makati smashup

Former Pangasinan Rep. Ranjid Shahani was injured Thursday night after his car crashed head on into an oncoming van in Makati City. Shahani, who served as lawmaker for the sixth district of Pangasinan, sustained cuts to his head and face during the mishap. Investigation showed the incident took place at about 8:45 p.m. along Metropolitan Avenue near Ayala Avenue in Makati City. Shahani's Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (plate WCG-321) collided head-on with a Mitsubishi L-300 van (UJC-283) driven by a certain Victoriano Bongcal. "He (Shahani) had just overtaken a vehicle but could not get back in his lane in time to avoid a head-on collision," radio station dzRH quoted Makati traffic enforcers as saying. Authorities also reported that Shahani was apprently drunk during the incident and produced an expired student driver's license. Also, investigators found that the Lancer did not belong to Shahani but to the latter's sister. Shahani now faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injury and damage to property. The former congressman was rushed to the Ospital ng Makati where he has been declared out of danger. Bongcal, for his part, suffered a fractured leg. Shahani's mother Leticia, a former senator, is a sister of former president Fidel Ramos. Shahani was also previously elected as vice governor of his home province.-GMANews.TV