Driver of deadly Taytay road crash undergoes inquest

The truck driver involved in a road crash in Taytay, Rizal that resulted in the death of six people has undergone inquest proceedings.

A report by Cedric Castillo in Balitanghali on Tuesday said that the driver was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and multiple damage to property.

Six people were killed while 17 others were injured after a 10-wheeler container truck plowed into a tricycle terminal and a row of stores on Cabrera Road, Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal last Saturday.

The container of the truck hit a large acacia tree looming over the road.

Taytay Police said the driver claimed that his brakes failed.

"Base dun sa imbestigador natin, sa interview natin ng driver, sinasabi niya na talagang lumusot ang preno niya," said Taytay Police Chief Superintendent Samuel Delorino.

Victims of the crash are demanding that the driver pay for damages.

"Kung anong nagastos ko sa ospital, bayaran naman nila. Nasa 10 [thousand pesos] na po," said Jinky Torreno, who was hit by cement and sharp metals while inside the parlor.

Gaga Tomarong, owner of the parlor the driver slammed into, wants his salon equipment replaced.

"Ang gusto ko mangyari tulad ngayon, ilang araw na wala akong kita. Eh sayang naman. Basta ipaayos nila. Pati lahat ng laman ng parlor ko maibalik nila," he said.

Meanwhile, the Taytay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) is looking into ways accidents such as this can be prevented.

MDRRMO chief director Elmer Espiritu said that the acacia tree might be trimmed.

"Maybe dapat 'yan binabawasan na 'yan, bawasan na 'yung sanga na 'yan. Isa sa mga iniisip namin. Pero kasi nga we have to balance kasi environment and safety. Only after a careful plan, saka siguro kami gagawa ng action," he said.

They are also looking into placing rumble strips and removing tricycle terminals at the side of the road. —Jessica Bartolome/KG/KVD, GMA News