Driver faces reckless imprudence raps in Capitol enforcer accident

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 62-year-old retired engineer from Toledo City will face reckless imprudence raps after his SUV struck and injured a Cebu City traffic enforcer while the latter directed traffic along Osmeña Boulevard on Wednesday morning, July 1.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) confirmed that it will pursue charges against the driver, who remains under the custody of the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), following the incident that left 44-year-old traffic enforcer Jovanie Verano with multiple fractures in one finger and other injuries.

CCTO head Raquel Arce said the city government decided to file charges based on the directive of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, who immediately called from Manila after learning about the incident.

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“Yes, we will base this on the stand of the city government, and that is also the mayor’s stand. The mayor called me and instructed that we really have to file a case,” Arce said.

She said authorities plan to charge the driver with reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries, citing the extent of the injuries sustained by the traffic enforcer.

According to Arce, Verano suffered fractures in all three bones of the ring finger on his left hand, while his fingernail was also torn off during the impact. Doctors continued to evaluate him for possible additional injuries while he underwent further laboratory examinations.

“He sustained fractures in all three finger bones, and his fingernail came off. Those were the doctor’s initial findings while they waited for the remaining laboratory results,” Arce said.

Driver cites accidental brake release

Arce said the driver explained that the incident happened after he unintentionally released the brake pedal of his automatic transmission vehicle while stopped at the intersection.

The driver reportedly told investigators that he had already stopped after Verano flagged him down but accidentally lifted his foot off the brake without shifting the vehicle into neutral or park, causing the SUV to lurch forward.

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“He told us he stepped on the brake when the enforcer stopped him, but because the vehicle had an automatic transmission, he accidentally released the brake without shifting to park or neutral. When he lifted his foot, the vehicle moved forward,” Arce said.

The CCTO chief added that investigators found no indication that the driver had used a cellphone or any other device before the collision.

“My first question was whether he got distracted—whether he was answering a phone call or doing something else. He said no. He insisted that the only thing that happened was that he accidentally lifted his foot from the brake,” she said.

Recent heart bypass

Arce also disclosed that the driver had undergone heart bypass surgery only a few months ago and had supposedly received medical advice not to drive yet.

She said the driver admitted undergoing bypass surgery in April but had already resumed driving around Toledo despite his doctor’s recommendation.

“I asked him why he drove all the way to Cebu City. Traffic in Toledo is very different from Cebu City’s traffic,” Arce said.

She added that the driver had traveled to Cebu City to process documents related to a property near the Cebu Provincial Capitol before the incident occurred.

Authorities identified him only as a 64-year-old retired engineer from Toledo City.

Driver initially left scene

Arce said the SUV continued moving after the collision until traffic congestion forced it to stop a short distance away.

Concerned bystanders and parking attendants then approached the driver and informed him that he had struck a traffic enforcer before escorting him to TEU personnel.

The driver denied deliberately fleeing the scene.

READ: 2 die in Quezon road mishaps

“He told us he had no intention of running away. According to him, he became rattled after the incident,” Arce said.

Witnesses who helped stop the vehicle also observed that the driver appeared visibly shaken.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the driver remained under TEU custody while authorities completed the filing of criminal charges.

He refused to sign an undertaking prepared by TEU personnel, opting instead to wait for his son, who reportedly works as a lawyer for the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

City vows accountability

Arce said the city government decided to pursue charges despite the driver’s age and medical condition, stressing that motorists must exercise utmost caution whenever traffic enforcers perform their duties on the road.

“We understand that he is a senior citizen and that he recently underwent surgery, but that cannot excuse what happened. People expect traffic enforcers to stand in the middle of intersections to manage traffic. Drivers must exercise extreme caution because they are dealing with agents of a person in authority performing official duties,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña announced that the city would file charges against the driver.

Osmeña also personally visited Verano, gave him financial assistance, and rewarded the two bystanders who helped apprehend the SUV driver.

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