15 hurt in road mishap

At least 15 people were injured, two of them seriously, when a speeding bus rammed a jeepney the other night in an intersection in Grace Park, Caloocan City.

The victims who sustained broken bones and lacerations, were rushed to the Caloocan General Hospital, Chinese Medical Center, and the Orthopedic Hospital for treatment.

No deaths were reported as of press time.

Police are conducting a manhunt operation against Transport Bus driver Alex Julian, 31, who immediately fled after the mishap.

According to the city traffic division, the accident occurred at about 6:15 p.m. along 2nd Avenue and Rizal Extension in Caloocan. A passenger jeep bound for Gasak-Recto was crossing a street when a speeding bus suddenly appeared and crashed into the vehicle.

Reports said the impact was so strong that the jeep spun around and threw most of its 12 passengers into the pavement.

The jeepney driver, one Jeson Pusag, 23, tried to steer the vehicle to the opposite route, but it continued spinning around until it hit three bystanders nearby.

Witnesses said that one of the victims was a biker who also got sideswiped by the bus while another, identified as Renato Garlitos, 47, was thrown inside an open manhole. – Matthew Estabillo