LTO suspends Niño Muhlach's license after Antipolo crash

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of actor Niño Muhlach's driver's license following a crash that damaged several establishments in Antipolo City.

In a statement on Tuesday, the LTO said it also placed the private vehicle involved in the incident on alarm status and issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) to Muhlach.

“While the investigation is ongoing, the LTO has placed the private vehicle on alarm status and ordered the actor to immediately surrender his driver’s license to the IID (Intelligence and Investigation Division), which will be subject to a 90-day preventive suspension,” the LTO said in Filipino.

The incident happened Sunday when Muhlach's sport utility vehicle (SUV) crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into three establishments, including an eatery where a customer was injured.

The SUV also hit a parked motorcycle, which ended up lodged underneath the vehicle.

In a “24 Oras” report, police initially said Muhlach was on his way to Masinag when the vehicle allegedly experienced engine trouble, causing him to lose control of the steering wheel.

Muhlach was immediately taken to a hospital after the crash.

The owners of the establishments later reached a settlement with the actor, who also covered the medical expenses of the injured customer.

However, in a statement on Monday, Muhlach clarified that the initial information about mechanical failure came from preliminary police findings and not from him.

“The accident was entirely my fault,” Muhlach said.

He explained that he fell asleep behind the wheel because of an “extremely demanding and exhausting schedule.”

Muhlach said his regular driver was off duty that Sunday, prompting him to drive the vehicle himself.

“I take full personal and legal responsibility for what happened,” he said, adding that his priority was to ensure that the injured individual received the necessary care and medical assistance and that the property damage was fully compensated and rectified.

“I am deeply sorry for the victim, their family, and everyone affected by my negligence,” Muhlach said. He also said he was fully cooperating with authorities.

A hearing before the LTO's IID is set for August 28.— MCG, GMA News