LTFRB suspends 17 VL units over deadly Nueva Ecija crash

Bus driver asks forgiveness 

By Princess Enriquez

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended 17 Victory Liner bus units after a deadly crash, which left five persons dead and 30 injured here Tuesday.

           A Victory Liner bus with plate number AYK 552, was traveling from Tuguegarao City to Manila when it rammed into a concrete barrier in Maharlika Highway, Barangay Puncan, Carranglan around 1:30 a.m.

According to an interview on Bombo Radio with Police Senior Insp. Adriano Gabriel Jr, Carranglan police chief, their investigation found out that human error caused the said collision.

Police authorities identified that it was the miscalculation and reckless driving of Ryan Manuel, 28, resident of Rugao, Ilagan City which led to the demise of five individuals including an 8-months pregnant woman.

The bus tumbled over after the driver abruptly applied the brakes as they traversed a downhill slope.

Manuel is detained at the Carranglan Police Station and the authorities have charged him with multiple homicide resulting in physical injuries. Manuel admitted that he was at fault and apologized to families of the victims even though, he said, that he cannot turn back time to save them.

Those who were injured were sent to hospitals in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija and some of them are reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) according to Senior Insp. Gabriel.

Gabriel, withheld names of the fatalities as well as the 20 injured, pending validation of their identities and information relayed to their relatives.

He said most of the victims were from the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela.

          It was reported that the accident happened about 1:30 a.m. and that Manuel, driver of the Victory Liner bus (AYK-552) has been taken into police custody.