4 dead in road crash in Quezon City
Four people were killed while 25 others were injured in a road accident on the Aurora Boulevard flyover in Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday, authorities said.
The incident occurred during rush hour as vehicles were heading downhill, said Transport Management Department (TTMD) head Dexter Cardenas.
A truck driver lost control and collided with a vehicle, which then sideswiped motorcycles on the side of the road.
The crash involved the truck, a bus, several cars, and 16 motorcycles.
"It was rush hour, in this area, the speed was slow, the truck just couldn't handle the brakes so it kept going. The truck was heavy, so it couldn't control it," said PCapt. Napoleon Cabigon, commander of the Quezon City Police District Traffic Sector 3.
"The vehicles were running fine, I was shocked. Suddenly, there was a crash that looked like it was made of steel, I stopped and then I was hit again," said motorcycle rider James Larry, who was involved in the accident.
Bayan Patroller Jeomar Dalisay, who was at the scene, said some of the victims were seen sprawled on the road, along with several motorcycles that were wrecked.
The fatalities include 3 men and one woman, Cabigon said.
One of the 4 truck helpers said they assisted motorists involved in the accident after their driver fled the area.
"We lost our brakes and then another motorist was hit. We just helped the other one. Then our driver got scared and left," the truck helper said.
The truck driver said he rode a tricycle to escape the accident site out of fear. He was later arrested along CP Garcia Avenue.
He said this was the first time he had been involved in an accident in his 5 years of working as a truck driver.
“When I was going down, I suddenly lost my brakes. I apologize for all the accidents. I don't like what happened,” he said.
It took around 6 hours before the vehicles involved in the accident were cleared, allowing the northbound lane of the Aurora Blvd. flyover to reopen to motorists.
To avoid road accidents as Christmas approaches, Cabin reminded motorists, "Battery needs to be conditioned, oil needs to be broken, and the engine needs to be oiled. Let's not drink this Christmas. Hands on the wheel, eyes on the road."
The QCPD is still investigating the incident.
