CCTV A screengrab from CCTV (closed-circuit television) camera footage shows the Mitsubishi Montero (left) before hitting the security guard of The Orchard Golf & Country Club manning traffic near the gate of the golf club in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

LTO suspends license of SUV driver in fatal Dasma road mishap

August 27, 2022 Jun I. Legaspi 622 views

TRANSPORTATION Assistant Secretary and Land Transportation Office Chief Atty. Teofilo “Jojo” Guadiz III immediately suspended for (90-day) the driver’s license (DL) of the driver of Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) who hit and killed a security guard while manning traffic in Dasmariñas, Cavite, near the Orchard Golf & Country Club.

Guadiz III approved the suspension upon the recommendation of LTO-Region 4A Regional Director Atty. Noreen Bernadette San Luis-Lutey while the case is pending for investigation.

The tragic incident went viral on social media and caught the attention of the authority and netizens.

In the official report submitted to Guadiz III, the LTO-Intelligence and Investigation have also issued a show cause order (August 26, 2022) to the driver of the Mitsubishi Montero SUV.

The suspect was ordered to appear before the LTO-Central Office for investigation on September 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

However, the police released the suspect after an amicable settlement was made, reaching P1 million, between the driver and the family of security guard Rodolfo Mejos.

Documents showed that the SUV driver has already made an initial P500,000 down payment. The remaining P500,000 would be delivered before September 23, 2022, based on the signed agreement between the parties and witnesses.

According to the ranking LTO official, the SUV driver has many things to explain, considering when the incident occurred, he was under the influence of liquor, based on the official medical certificate, and violated Republic Acts 4136 and 10586 as he tested “positive” for alcohol.

“Ang car crash at may namatay na inosenteng individual lalo na kung on duty pa ay hindi simple kaso ng car crash – ‘reminder’ yan sa lahat ng drivers, lalo na nga at under the influence ng alak eto, may mga batas tayo para diyan at seryosong bagay yan,” said an expert LTO official.

The driver is liable for criminal, civil, and administrative liabilities in fact, the payment of civil liability is an admission that the crime was committed, according to the LTO expert.

Dasmariñas Police said Mejos, 54, died after getting hit by SUV while directing traffic along Barangay Salawag on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022), reportedly by the speeding Mitsubishi Montero SUV.

Mejos was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival, based on the official police report.

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