LTO to probe Fil-Indian in hit-and-run

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office will investigate if Fil-Indian businessman Rajiv Dargani, who reportedly figured in a fatal hit-and-run in Makati City, could be held administratively liable once a complaint is filed against him with the agency, LTO chief Virginia Torres said yesterday.

According to Torres, a formal complaint, including the police report, could be lodged before the LTO so the agency could look into possible sanctions – if any – that could be meted on Dargani, president of Sunglass Hut Philippines, which retails high-end sunglass brands.

Noting that Dargani had been charged by the Makati police with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injuries and abandonment of one’s victim before the Makati fiscal, Torres said they are respecting the process and would investigate the matter if a formal complaint is filed against Dargani before the LTO.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David said yesterday that while a court has yet to issue a hold departure order to prevent Dargani from leaving the country, the BI could include his name in its lookout bulletin.

Dargani, who was tagged in the hit-and-run incident that killed motorcycle driver Henrix Bernardo, is from Dasmariñas Village. Bernardo’s passenger, Glenn Nacion Jr., was hospitalized.

After the accident on McKinley Road before dawn on April 20, Dargani allegedly did not stop and instead drove to Dasmariñas Village. But he left the village and has not been seen since.

The luxury car that figured in the hit-and-run in Makati was not an R8 Audi but a Porsche, LTO records earlier showed. This was based on the plate number JVV-88 earlier noted by the police.

The black two-door Porsche Carrera was not registered under the name of Dargani but under the name of Joey Valencia, a resident of San Juan City. The car was last registered on April 12.

Dargani’s name appears twice on the LTO database of driver’s license holders.

It was not immediately clear why he was in possession of the Carrera – as stated by police reports – that was registered under Valencia’s name.

– With Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos