Grandfather who died in NLEX accident saved two-year-old granddaughter
A 54-year-old man who died in an accident along NLEX earlier this week managed to save his two-year-old granddaughter.
Marilao police chief Eulogio Lamqui III told ABS-CBN News that the grandfather was able to secure his granddaughter's safety on that tragic day when a trailer truck struck the underside of the Marilao Interchange Bridge on the northbound lane of NLEX, dislodging a girder that fell and crushed a vehicle beneath it. The incident took place on June 18.
“Bale nung nangyari po 'yung aksidente, niyakap po niya 'yung bata, noong bumaligtad po yung sasakyan yakap-yakap po nung matanda 'yung bata kaya naligtas at hindi siya gaanong nasugatan,” Lamqui told ABS-CBN News.
Lamqui said the grandfather's seven-member family, hailing from Parañaque, was headed to Baguio to visit their relatives when the accident happened.
Four out of the six survivors are still in the hospital, he added.
The truck driver, 31, is detained at the Marilao police station.
Lamqui said he's facing multiple cases, including reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
The driver has expressed readiness to face the consequences. "Pasensiya na ho, hindi ko naman ginusto yun, pagbayaran na lang kung may kasalanan yun,” ABS-CBN News quoted him as saying.
Department of Transportation Sec. Vince Dizon, meanwhile, told Super Radyo dzBB on June 19 that NLEX will be held liable for the incident.
According to Marilao police's initial investigation, the truck passed the Meycauayan exit to go back to Malabon before hitting the bridge.
Dizon also referred to another incident last March when a trailer truck also damaged the interchange bridge after reportedly exceeding the 4.27-meter limit restriction under the Marilao Interchange Bridge.
"Ako ay mag-oorder... sa [Toll Regulatory Board]... na sabihan ang NLEX na liable sila doon sa nangyari na naman kahapon," Dizon said. "Kasi nakalusot na naman sa Meycauayan exit… itong truck na masyadong mataas. So ibig sabihin niyan, pinalusot 'yan o nakalusot 'yan ng NLEX."
Dizon said he wants to waive toll fees in the affected areas along NLEX, as motorists may experience heavy traffic due to the accident.
"Ito po ay liable ang NLEX diyan and mabigat po ito," he said. "Kapag 'yan ay na-disrupt na naman ang mga kababayan natin sa biyahe, kasalanan nila 'yan, ipapalibre ko ulit ang toll diyan."
