Van driver claims he fell asleep

CEBU, Philippines - The driver of a van-for-hire that plunged off a cliff in Babag 2, Cebu City the other day resulting to injury of at least 15 people admitted that he fell asleep while driving.

SPO3 Nelson Jayme, traffic investigator, said Rustom Tundag, driver of the Hyundai utility van, finally admitted this during the course of their investigation.

“Natino namo during the investigation nga nakatulog siya. Na-interview namo si Tundag, although aduna’y gamay pagdepensa or pag-deny primero, nadugay miangkon siya nakamatagtilaw gyud kuno siya,” Jayme told The FREEMAN.

Tundag, who is also the operator of the van, disclosed to police it was the second time that day that he drove the van from Balamban to Cebu City and vice versa.

“Ingon siya ‘kaduha na man gud to nakong byahe sir, long distance baya gikan pa Balamban maong luya-luya gyud ko. Nakamatagtilaw ko nya nakalitan ko paghapak sa pasahero sa akong kamot,’” Jayme added, quoting the driver.

Jayme said they also found out during ocular investigation that all four wheels of the van were already worn out and were supposedly no longer advisable to be used for long distance trips.

Despite the condition of the wheels, Jayme said they found a long skid mark on the road where the van was seen speedily traveling and hitting a narra tree before finally plunging into the 15-meter deep ravine.

The traffic investigator said this only shows the driver applied the breaks.

Tundag is currently confined at the Cebu City Medical Center due to the fracture he sustained on the shoulder as a result of the accident.

As of yesterday, relatives of at least two of the victims have manifested interest to file a complaint against the driver.

Jayme said that if the needed evidence, especially the medical certificate, is all prepared, they will file a case for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple physical injuries against the driver, who in turn, said that he is ready to face the charge.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office-7 director Raul Aguilos said they will recommend the filing of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple physical injuries and also suspend the franchise of Tundag.

The van was carrying 15 peple when it plunged off a cliff along the Transcentral Highway in Babag 2 at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Luckily, all passengers and the driver survived with only minor injuries. — (FREEMAN)