Marikina City: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the registered owner and driver of a trailer truck involved in a multi-vehicular accident that left three people dead in Marikina City on Wednesday. The LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, stated that both the owner and the driver must explain their side of the incident as part of the initial phase of the investigation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the investigation aims to determine if there were any lapses on the part of the registered owner concerning truck maintenance and the condition of the driver at the time of the accident. The focus will be on whether the truck was properly maintained and if it was overloaded during the incident. The truck driver, whose license has been temporarily suspended, is currently in police custody, and the truck has been placed on alarm.

The accident occurred when the truck, loaded with a 40-foot container van, was passing through an inclined section of Fortune Avenue at 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The vehicle suddenly stopped and began moving backward. A police report indicates that the truck lost its brakes and went into reverse until the trailer overturned, resulting in the crushing of three vehicles. The incident led to a chain collision involving two additional vehicles, culminating in three fatalities and injuries to ten others.