By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday permanently revoked the driver’s license of the 20-year-old driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City.
Following a hearing conducted by the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division, the driver was found liable for reckless driving and declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, which served as the basis for the permanent revocation of his license.
The vehicle will also remain under alarm status in accordance with the resolution issued by the agency.
The incident occurred at around 4:12 a.m. on July 10 along the westbound lane of Ortigas Avenue, in front of La Salle Green Hills in Barangay Wack-Wack, when the Toyota Land Cruiser crashed into the back of a motorcycle.
The motorcycle passenger died at the scene, while the rider sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The driver fled toward San Juan City after the collision but was later apprehended by responding officers from the San Juan City Police Station.
On July 10, the LTO issued a show cause order against the registered owner and driver, ordering them to appear before the LTO on July 16 to explain why they should not be held liable for tampering with authorized motor vehicle license plates, reckless driving and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
The driver’s license was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension at the time, with the vehicle placed under alarm status pending the investigation.
“Walang sinuman ang higit sa batas. Hindi magiging batayan ang anumang katungkulan, posisyon, o impluwensya upang makaiwas sa pananagutan. Patuloy nating ipatutupad ang batas nang patas at walang kinikilingan para sa kaligtasan ng bawat gumagamit ng lansangan (No one is above the law. No position, rank, or influence will serve as a basis for evading accountability. We will continue to enforce the law fairly and impartially for the safety of every road user),” LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said.
The vehicle drew public attention after videos showed it had a House of Representatives sticker covering its conduction sticker, with its license plate concealed by a newspaper.
However, the House of Representatives, through Secretary General Cheloy Garafil, clarified that the registered owner of the Toyota Land Cruiser is not a member of the chamber and that the vehicle was never issued an official vehicle pass for the 19th or 20th Congress. (PNA)
