The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a preventive suspension order against modern jeepney operator Carmexss TSC following a deadly road crash in Calumpit, Bulacan that left two people dead and 19 others injured, including students.
LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III confirmed on Wednesday that the suspension will be implemented while an official probe into the incident is ongoing.
“We have already coordinated with LTFRB Region 3 (Central Luzon) to conduct the investigation. I gave them 15 days to submit the result of the investigation,” Guadiz said.
The incident occurred last Tuesday, January 14, at around 2 p.m. A modern jeepney reportedly attempted to overtake another vehicle but collided head-on with an oncoming tricycle.
The impact sent both vehicles off a bridge along MacArthur Highway, killing the tricycle driver and one passenger.
Among the 19 injured were two tricycle passengers and several jeepney passengers, many of whom were students from Bulacan State University (BulSU).
BulSU student government president Queenie Quintero confirmed that at least seven of the injured are university students. Most were rushed to the Bulacan Medical Center, while authorities are verifying the condition and location of others.
Acting Calumpit Police Chief Lt. Col. Jonathan Meru stated that initial reports indicate the jeepney’s brakes failed. “The driver said he lost control of the brakes, so he tried to avoid hitting other vehicles,” Meru explained.
As part of the preventive suspension, the involved jeepney unit will be barred from operating for 30 days. Guadiz also reiterated the importance of strict adherence to traffic rules and safety standards among public utility vehicle operators and drivers.
“Reckless driving and negligence not only endanger lives but also result in severe penalties, including preventive suspensions and possible revocation of franchises,” the LTFRB chief said in a statement.
Guadiz urged operators to regularly monitor their drivers’ compliance with safety protocols to avoid similar tragedies.
Videos of the aftermath circulated online, showing rescuers responding to the harrowing scene, as authorities continue to confirm the total number of students involved in the crash.