MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a 90-day preventive suspension against the license of the driver in a viral video that hit a motorcycle and dragged a traffic enforcer in Taguig City.
In a statement Friday, LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the preventive suspension was placed as part of the ongoing investigation of the incident based on the complaint letter sent by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chair Don Artes.
“Hindi lang po preventive suspension, nilagay na rin po natin sa alarma ang pulang Hyundai Stargazer na may plakang NHF588 habang isinasagawa ang ating imbestigasyon tungkol dito (Not only a preventive suspension, we also placed an alarm on the red Hyundai Stargazer with plate NHF588 while investigation is ongoing),” Mendoza said.
A show cause order (SCO) has also been issued to the registered owner of the Hyundai Stargazer and to her husband who admitted driving the vehicle during the incident.
In the SCO signed by LTO Land Enforcement Service Director Francis Ray Almora, both the registered owner and the driver were ordered to appear before the LTO central office on Sept. 3 to submit a notarized comment and explain why they should not be penalized.
The driver was also ordered to surrender his driver’s license.
The charges against the driver include reckless driving, failure to comply with the duty of the driver in case of an accident, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle all violations – under Republic Act No. 4136.
On Thursday, the driver appeared before the MMDA and admitted to his involvement in the incident.
Despite the apology, Artes asked for the suspension of his license to the LTO and is preparing to file attempted homicide and direct assault charges against the driver.
Based on the police investigation, the red Hyundai Stargazer sideswiped a Honda Click motorcycle on the East Service Road near Nichols PNR Station last Aug. 27.
After being hit, the motorcycle moved in front of the Stargazer to block it but was instead hit again on the rear, and then the driver of the Stargazer fled.
A nearby MMDA traffic enforcer saw the incident and tried to stop the suspect but was dragged away when he stood in front of the vehicle. (PNA)
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