Some Recent Traffic Accidents

Here are some recent traffic accidents which are pretty stupid. They’re also tragic symptoms of a broken system where preventable deaths keep happening because regulation is weak, enforcement is inconsistent, and justice can be bought.

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/4/13/2-patay-16-sugatan-sa-aksidente-sa-commonwealth-avenue-qc-1713

Two persons died while 16 others were injured in a road accident along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City Sunday morning, April 13.

One public utility jeepney, one modernized jeepney, and a transport network vehicle service car were involved in the incident.

Police said based on CCTV footage, the PUJ was speeding when it hit the rear of the modernized jeepney, causing it to turn turtle

"Based on his statement when he was first brought to our office, he lost control of the jeepney after it crashed into the rear of the modernized jeep," said P/Lt. Allan Erick Bacalzo, officer-in-charge of QCPD Traffic Section 5.

The two fatalities, including the 16 injured victims, were passengers of the traditional jeepney.

"Right now, the investigation is still ongoing, but as part of our SOP, we will subject the suspect to an alcoholic breath analyzer test and then a drug test," Bacalzo said.

A witness recalled how the accident occurred.

"I just saw a jeep overturn here, it was so strong. I saw the jeep turn over. There were passengers underneath. I was scared when I looked over there and there were two people overturned," said Jeremias Hernandez, owner of a shoe shop in front of the accident's site.

The driver of the jeepney will face complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

The Land Transportation Office has also summoned the registered owner and the driver of the passenger jeepney.  

The registered owner was also asked to bring the passenger jeepney to the LTO Central Office in Quezon City for inspection and evaluation, along with its franchise documents.

"We want to have a clear picture of what happened so that appropriate sanctions would be imposed. We will also ask the drivers of the other motor vehicles involved for a statement as well as coordinate with the local police which is conducting a separate probe," said LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II.

In the Show Cause Order signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante, the jeepney driver was asked to explain why he should not be penalized for charges of Reckless Driving (Sec. 48 of RA 4136), being improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle pursuant to Sec. 27(a) of RA 4136.  

"Failure to appear and submit written comment/explanation as required shall be construed by this office as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand," the SCO read.

Uh-oh! A speeding jeepney hit another jeepney and CAUSED IT TO TURN TURTLE!!!  HAHAHAHA LOL!! How hilarious. What is wrong with the editor at ABS-CBN News? Turn turtle? How about something a little less flippant like "flipped over" or "overturned?"  

At least the driver is facing charges. Unless he settles with the victims of course. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/15/dump-truck-rams-12-vehicles-in-zamboanga-city

A wayward dump truck hit 11  vehicles in a multi-vehicle collision in Barangay San Jose Gusu here on Monday night, April 14.

Investigation said the yellow dump truck with license plates APA-3128 driven by Japinan Roselie  Vergara, 46, reportedly suffered mechanical trouble, lost its brakes, and crashed into a vehicle in front.

The impact resulted to a chain collision involving 11 other vehicles – a  Nissan Terra, a white Ford Ranger, a tricycle, a public utility jeepney, a Bajaj tricycle,  motorcycle, Toyota Innova, a Toyota Avanza, a Bajare tricycle,  Mitsubishi Expander, and a Ford Ranger.

All vehicles incurred damages but there were no casualties.

Drivers and owners of the vehicles were invited to the Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for further investigation.

It's another case of failed brakes. No word on charges being filed. Once again if he settles with the victims no one will bat an eye and the driver will be back on the road in no time. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/15/truck-topples-power-post-in-taytay-rizal

A truck crashed into an electric post along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Taytay, Rizal, on Monday, April 14, causing the pole to topple and the cables attached to it to dangle.

The Taytay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that clearing operations were carried out Monday afternoon as the post and its cables were damaged by the strong impact.

The truck was brought to the impounding area at around 6:32 p.m.

The Taytay MDRRMO said the driver jumped out of the truck before it hit the post. 

No one was seriously injured in the accident.

However, it caused heavy traffic from Rotonda to Cainta, Rizal.

The Taytay municipal government deployed additional enforcers to manage the traffic situation.

Meanwhile, the driver was brought to the police station for questioning.

No word on what caused this accident. Good thing the driver jumped out of the truck rather than use his adroit driving skills to either prevent or mitigate the damage from the accident. Maybe it was another failed brakes issue. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/15/suv-plows-through-pedestrians-in-makati-1-dead-5-hurt

A sports utility vehicle (SUV) driven by a security guard plowed into pedestrians, killing a woman and injuring five others in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City on Monday, April 14.

Based on the police report, a 60-year-old security guard was trying to move the SUV to another parking slot when it accelerated towards the crossing civilians.

The owner of the SUV said the security guard suddenly entered his vehicle and drove it without his permission, even ignoring his mother's plea to wait for him to move the vehicle himself.

According to the suspect, he tried to move the car because he was ordered by his management to transfer any vehicle blocking the establishment where he is working.

Upon releasing the handbrake, the suspect said the vehicle accelerated violently and plowed into the pedestrians, first hitting the 40-year-old woman who died on the spot, and then the five other individuals. 

Capt. Milfred Kamir Kayat, Makati Police Traffic Investigation officer in charge, said the suspect expressed remorse over the incident.

The security guard thought he could operate the automatic vehicle properly.

He is now under the custody of the Makati City Police and is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.

This is a pretty dumb accident. A security guard was told by his boss that a vehicle needed to be moved. But instead of confronting the owner of the car and asking him to move it, the security guard jumped in the vehicle, released the handbrake, and then the SUV accelerated violently which resulted in the death of a woman. Let's all thank the Manila Bulletin for including an unblurred picture of the dead woman on the hood of the SUV. I am going to guess that the security guard had his foot on the accelerator rather than the brake pedal when he popped the handbrake. It could happen to anyone. Right?

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/02/2439870/12-dead-27-hurt-sctex-toll-plaza-multiple-collision

Twelve people, including six minors, were killed and 27 others were injured when a speeding passenger bus crashed through a column of vehicles at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza in Tarlac City at past noon yesterday.

Tarlac police chief Lt. Col. Romel Santos said a Toyota Veluz sport utility vehicle, a tractor head truck, a Nissan Urvan and a Kia Sonet SUV were queuing at an SCTEX toll plaza in Barangay Bantug when a speeding Solid North bus emerged from behind and hit them.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said the road crash occurred at 12:18 p.m., with the police receiving a report of the incident at 12:30 p.m.

Santos said the bus driver, whom he did not identify, told police investigators he fell asleep while behind the wheel.

“Dozing off while behind the wheel and in full speed, he did not notice he was already approaching the SCTEX toll plaza,” Santos said in an interview over dzBB.

Ten of the fatalities, including the six minors, were passengers of the Nissan Urvan while the other two were in the Kia Sonet. The two vehicles lay crushed between the bus and the truck. Police have yet to disclose the names of the fatalities.

Santos said 27 people, including the bus driver, were brought to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

Marvin Guiang, who heads the Tarlac Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said one of the survivors is a child from the Kia Sonet. He said bus passengers sustained minor injuries.

The PRC mobilized its rescuers and an ambulance in transporting patients to the hospital.

Police are preparing criminal cases against the bus driver for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

On Labor Day a tragic accident occurred on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway which resulted in the death of 12 people while 27 others were injured. The accident was caused by a bus driver who was not only speeding but had fallen asleep at the wheel. The PNP are preparing a case against him but did they not ask if the victims want to settle? Why rush to prosecute this man when he and his company pay good blood money to brush this incident away?