SCTEX accident death toll now at 10; Solid North Bus suspended

THE Department of Transportation summoned some 27 bus companies over the he fatal crash on Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) on Thursday that resulted to the death of 10 people.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said that they will be discussing the major causes of accidents and as well on drivers who tested positive for drug use.

“Aalamin ko talaga. Tatapatin ko sila. Ano bang nangyayari bakit puro kayo aksidente, bakit puro na lang  mga nahuhuling positive sa drugs?” Dizon was quoted as saying before a television interview.

“Talagang didiretsuhin ko po itong bus companies natin kasi kapag hindi po tayo tumino-tino dito, hindi tayo nag-shape up dito ay pasensyahan talaga. Hindi lang po suspensyon ang aabutin nila dito,” he added.

On Thursday, 10 victims included four children were killed during the accident. Some 37 others were injured during a multiple-vehicle collision at the Tarlac City Toll Plaza on SCTEX.

Tarlac Provincial Police Office chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Romel Santos said tht based on their investigations, the passenger Solid North bus hit a van, which was already in the payment queue at the toll gate.

Due to the impact, the SUV crashed into the tractor head in front of it. The tractor head then also hit another compact SUV in the payment line.

The driver is now in custody as the Solid North Bus Line has been suspended of their operations.

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