LTO summons driver, owner of truck involved in fatal Marikina accident

Three people were killed in the accident on Fortune Ave., Marikina City. Photo from the Marikina Filipino-Chinese Fire Brigade Volunteers

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said it summoned the driver and the owner of a truck involved in an accident in Marikina City that killed three individuals.

According to the LTO, the driver’s license has also already been suspended, while the truck has been placed under alarm.

READ: 3 dead, 10 hurt in 6-vehicle crash in Marikina

LTO chief and Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II explained that the show cause order on the driver and owner is the initial phase of the investigation where they are expected to explain their side of the accident.

“We want to know what really happened, and part of it is to determine if there were lapses on the part of the registered owner in terms of truck maintenance and the condition of the driver at the time of the accident,” said Mendoza.

Based on the police report, the truck was loaded with a 40-foot container van and was traveling along Fortune Avenue in Marikina City at around 10 p.m. on Wednesday when it lost its brakes and started moving backward while traveling on the ascending part of the road.

“It continued in reverse until the trailer chassis and the carried container overturned and crushed (three vehicles). The sudden backward motion triggered a chain-reaction collision involving (two more vehicles),” the LTO said, citing a police report.

Three people died in the incident, including the jeepney driver and two people from a sedan, while 10 others were injured.

Mendoza said the LTO will determine if the truck is being properly maintained or if it is overloaded.