LTFRB suspends operation of UV Express in viral ramming of motorcycles in Quezon City
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended the operation of the UV Express in a viral video of ramming incident in Quezon City on Friday, Oct. 17, that left at least one person dead and 14 others injured.
LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said the suspension was based on the agency’s guideline which imposes not more than 30 days of suspension for units or franchises under investigation.
In the case of the UV Express involved, the incident went viral after a netizen captured a video of the incident wherein the vehicle was seen ramming a line of motorcycle riders along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
“We already issued a show cause order (SCO) against the owner of the UV Express, which came with an order to explain why the franchise should not be revoked over the incident,” said Mendoza.
“The owner of this particular unit has a lot of explaining to do because of that incident. We will determine at the course of the investigation why the driver of that UV Express reacted that way which resulted in death and multiple injuries,” he added.
Based on the police report obtained by the LTFRB, the driver of the UV Express suddenly rammed into a group of motorcycle riders while being pursued by other riders.
“He continued to accelerate and repeatedly drove recklessly, circling from the eastbound to the westbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue and vice versa, bumping into other vehicles and causing injuries to several victims in his attempt to evade apprehension,” the police report read.
The incident resulted in the death of one person, while at least 14 others were injured. Several motorcycles were also damaged as a result.
Another case that the owner is facing, according to Mendoza, is for hiring a reckless driver who was arrested after speeding off after the incident in a bid to escape, instead of stopping to help the victims.
In the SCO, the owner of the unit was ordered to surrender the license plates of the unit involved, and that the UV Express be impounded.
“On behalf of the LTFRB, we express condolences to the family of the victim. We will make sure that justice will be served,” said Mendoza.