11 hurt as jeepney falls into Lagusnilad underpass

MANILA, Philippines - At least 11 persons were injured when a passenger jeepney fell into the Lagusnilad underpass in Manila before dawn yesterday.

Passengers Kennedy Sol, 24; Aldrin Ubueno, 42; and Mary Joy Oriarte, 23, were taken to the Philippine General Hospital, according to Senior Police Officer 1 Richard Borbon, Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit investigator.

The jeepney driver, identified only as Arman, escaped, leaving behind conductor Bryan Barquin, 29, who suffered a broken leg.

Investigators have yet to identify and locate seven passengers who were either taken to different hospitals or left the scene of the accident.

Barquin said Arman was driving at breakneck speed at around 3 a.m. when a street child suddenly crossed Taft Avenue. 

“Arman swerved to the left to avoid hitting the child but our wheels skidded and we rammed the lamp post and a tree before the jeep (fell),” Barquin told reporters at the hospital. 

Traffic was stalled in front of the city hall until Metro Manila Development Authority personnel cleared the mess before 6 a.m.

The jeepney driver, who remains at large, faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and multiple physical injuries, police said.