THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the operation of eight passenger bus units of Pangasinan Five Star Bus, Inc., following a deadly road crash in front of a hospital in Santiago City, Isabela.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the 30-day suspension was imposed after the June 11 incident that killed a pedestrian and injured two passengers.
“We express our sincerest condolences to the family of the victim. We understand the pain of that loss, and we in the LTFRB assure the family that we will exhaust all measures in the interest of justice and accountability,” Mendoza said in a statement.
A police investigation indicates that the bus driver lost control of the vehicle on the national highway and hit a female pedestrian in front of the Santiago City Medical Center. The bus also collided with a pick-up truck moving in the opposite direction.
The victim later succumbed to her injuries from the crash, while two of the bus passengers were reported injured, according to the police report.
In a show-cause order, the LTFRB directed Pangasinan Five Star Bus, Inc. to explain why its Certificate of Public Convenience should not be suspended or revoked over the incident.
Also, the agency ordered the company to subject the bus driver to a drug test and submit all eight suspended units for a roadworthiness inspection. The operator was likewise required to surrender the bus units’ license plates.
Mendoza said the investigation will determine whether the company complied with road safety requirements and whether it provided assistance, including facilitating insurance claims, for the fatality and injured passengers.
A hearing on the case is scheduled for July 7.
