LTO issues show cause order vs driver who killed pedestrian in Cebu City

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order against a driver who fatally hit a pedestrian in Cebu City.

According to a statement issued Wednesday, an initial investigation showed that the driver hit a parked sedan in Barangay Banilad, Maria Luisa Village in Cebu City.

In his attempt to escape, the driver hit the victim and attempted to escape once more, but was forced to stop when the vehicle lost control and crashed on its side. 

The victim was pronounced dead-on-arrival at the hospital.

The LTO statement did not identify the driver and the victim.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Cebu City Police Office revealed that the driver was unable to present his license or the vehicle’s documents at the time of arrest.

“Hindi ako papayag na magsawalang-kilos sa mga paglabag na nagdudulot ng pinsala o kamatayan sa ating mamamayan na gumagamit ng kalsada. Ang LTO ay determinadong ipatupad ang batas ng patas ngunit mahigpit - ang kaligtasan ng publiko ang siyang una nating priyoridad. Ang mga taong nagkakalat ng karahasan sa ating mga kalsada ay kailangang harapin ang mga kahihinatnan ng kanilang mga aksyon,” said LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(I will not allow for us to not do any actions against violations that cause damage or death for our citizens that use our roads. The LTO is determined to implement the law fairly but strictly – the safety of the public is our first priority. The people who spread violence on our roads need to be held accountable for their actions.)

The driver and the registered owner of the vehicle have been issued a show cause order and were ordered to appear before LTO Region 7 to explain why they should not be charged with reckless driving, unfit to possess a driver’s license.

The driver’s license is also suspended for 90 days, while the vehicle was placed under alarm.

The driver remains on hospital arrest following injuries he sustained from the accident.

He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/RSJ, GMA Integrated News