This doesn’t look good for the bus company.
“Sulpicio Marasigan, 54, the driver of the Southern Carrier bus involved in an accident in South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) on Monday, Mar 24, was found in a hospital in Talisay, Batangas on Tuesday, Mar 25,” reports ABS-CBNnews.com.
The Southern Commuter Carrier bus carrying at least 48 passengers from Lipa, Batangas, turned over along SLEx’s northbound lane after its right rear tires were dislodged near Sta. Rosa exit at around 6:45am on Monday. At least 20 people were injured in the accident.
RELATED: 20 people hurt in SLEx bus crash
The report quoted Michael Salalima, Corporate Affairs head of Southern Carrier Bus, who spoke for Marasigan, who claimed that he heard a noise coming from the bus’ tires so he stepped on the brakes. That was how he lost control of the bus.
Authorities found drug paraphernalia beside the bus’ driver’s seat but Marasigan denied that he was under the influence of illegal drugs at the time of the accident. He said he is willing to undergo a drug test.
Salalima went on to dismiss the allegations that the bus was a colorum unit, after a “RRCG Bus” marking was found on its rear portion. He reasoned that “those who painted the bus got confused as RRCG and Southern Carrier use the same terminal. The two companies use almost the same colors.”
Salalima added that the bus company will accept any penalty imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Screengrab of photo by dzMM correspondent Dennis Datu, as posted on the ANC website
