MANILA, Philippines - A wayward trailer truck hit 18 vehicles in Marikina City Wednesday night, leaving at least six people hurt.
The vehicles involved occupied three lanes along Marcos Highway in Barangay Barangka, resulting in a traffic gridlock for Antipolo City-bound vehicles that lasted for hours, stranding thousands of commuters.
The driver of the 10-wheeler truck, Marcelino Balmosena, was arrested and will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to properties.
According to Balmosena, he was cruising along the highway at normal speed when the truck’s brakes failed at past 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The driver claimed he tried to maneuver the vehicle off the road toward the trees at the right side of Marcos Highway but failed.
“The vehicle increased its speed and the driver tried to grab the steering wheel toward the right portion of the road. He hit several vehicles before the truck came to a complete halt,” a witness said.
Jaime Marcaida of the Marikina traffic division claimed the 18 vehicles –15 cars, two taxicabs and a motorcycle – rammed by the truck were heavily damaged.
Those hurt were either drivers or passengers of the affected vehicles and were rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority cleared the area of the vehicles an hour later.
Balmosena is currently detained at the Marikina police’s traffic division.