Driver Suspended After Passenger Falls Off Jeepney in Viral Incident

Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday suspended the driver of a jeepney seen in a viral video swerving on the road and leaving behind a passenger who fell from the rear of the vehicle.

According to Philippines News Agency, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II stated that a show cause order (SCO) has also been issued to both the registered owner and the driver of the traditional jeepney. They have been directed to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division to address the incident.

'Kapag ang isang driver ay nagdulot ng panganib sa kanyang mga pasahero at nabigong gampanan ang kanyang responsibilidad matapos ang insidente, kinakailangan itong agad na mapanagot (If a driver causes danger to one of his passengers and fails to fulfill his responsibility in an incident, he must be held responsible),' Lacanilao said in a statement.

The operator is facing the administrative charge of employing a reckless, insolent, discourteous, or arrogant driver, while the driver is charged with reckless driving, failure to perform a driver's duty in case of an accident, and operating a motor vehicle while being an improper person to do so.

The driver was ordered to surrender his license during the 90-day suspension. The public utility vehicle has also been placed under alarm pending the outcome of the investigation.

If found liable, the driver may face the suspension or revocation of his driver's license.

The viral video showed the traditional jeepney traveling along Aurora Boulevard toward Cubao when it suddenly swerved to overtake another jeepney, causing a passenger to fall from the rear of the vehicle onto the road. The jeepney continued driving without stopping to assist the passenger.