15 hurt in Makati road mishap

Fifteen persons were hurt when the passenger jeepney they were riding rammed into a parked delivery truck yesterday morning in front of the Makati City Hall.

Senior Police Officer 1 William Binalla, of the Makati City Traffic Investigation Section, said two of the 15 passengers on board the public utility jeepney (PYV-441) are still confined at the Ospital ng Makati. The other sustained minor injuries.

Binalla said one of the remaining patients Manuel Marcial, 41, suffered a kidney injury when he was pinned between other passengers. Some of the passengers claimed that among those hurt was a pregnant woman.

The driver of the jeepney was identified as Noel Pabilonia, 25, a resident of 4717 Kakarong street, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City.

The jeepney was plying the Guadalupe-Taft Avenue route when the accident took place at around 7:05 a.m.

Police probers said Pabilonia was apparently speeding along J.P. Rizal street, in front of Makati City Hall, and was trying to overtake a slow moving vehicle. In trying to avoid hitting a two pedestrians crossing the street, the jeepney swerved to the left. The driver lost control and hit the side of a delivery van parked outside the Mercury Drugstore.

As a result of the impact, the passengers were hurled toward the front of the jeepney, causing them to suffer injuries. They were brought to the hospital for medical treatment.

Binalla said they are preparing to file reckless imprudence resulting to multiple physical injuries and damage to property against Pabilonia. – Evelyn Macairan