1 killed, 2 hurt by wayward AUV

A 62-year-old woman driving a Toyota Revo plowed into a group of taxi drivers waiting for passengers along a row of motels near the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City yesterday morning, killing one and injuring two others.

PO3 Eduardo Ronquillo of the local Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) identified the lone fatality as John Malinawski Jr., 32, single, driver of an MGE Transport Corp. taxi and resident of 6896 Washington street corner Pio del Pilar, Makati.

Malinawski, succumbed to severe head and body injuries while being treated at the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital. The Revo (WGD-253) slammed right into the taxi driver, dragging him several meters more from the point of impact before hitting a concrete fence.

Malinawski’s fellow cab drivers, Roldan Basa, 32, of 157 Andrew street, Metro Heights Subdivision, Culiat, Quezon City and Eduardo Vailoses, 31, of 63 Katipunan Extension, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, tried to evade the wayward vehicle but were sideswiped and injured nevertheless. They were brought to the nearest hospital for treatment.

The driver, Anna Po, married, of 159 University Avenue, Barangay Potrero, Malabon City also sustained injuries and was taken to the same hospital.

Records showed the incident occurred at around 6:45 yesterday morning near the corner of Biglang-awa street and EDSA in Caloocan City.

It was gathered that Po was driving her Revo behind a passenger bus on the way to EDSA when the latter suddenly stopped. In an attempt to keep from rear-crashing the bus, Po swerved to the left but her vehicle, now out of control, ran right directly into the victims.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and two counts of physical injuries are being readied against the driver.