LTO told: Revoke license of driver, who bumped traffic enforcer with SUV

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The driver who is accused of hitting and injuring a Cebu City traffic enforcer while on duty may also face the permanent revocation of his driver’s license as city officials pursue legal action over the incident.

In a social media post, Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city government was coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to seek the permanent revocation of the driver’s license, on top of the criminal complaint being prepared against him.

READ: Driver faces reckless imprudence raps in Capitol enforcer accident

“The driver is in custody and will be publicly named as soon as charges are filed,” Osmeña said.

He also said that, based on the driver’s own admission, he had been advised by his doctor not to drive.

“An accident is one thing, but flooring the throttle after the initial hit and then attempting to escape are inexcusable,” Osmeña said.

Criminal charges updated

Traffic investigator Police Staff Sergeant Jacinto Arnado Jr. of the Cebu City Police Office’s Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) said on Thursday, July 2, that authorities were set to file charges of direct assault with attempted homicide against the driver.

Arnado said the charges stemmed from the fact that the victim, traffic enforcer Jovanne Verano, was in uniform and performing official traffic control duties at the time of the incident.

READ: WATCH: Traffic enforcer in Balamban, Cebu accidentally hit by pickup truck

The planned filing marks a shift from the earlier reckless imprudence complaint initially considered by authorities following the collision.

CCTV findings

According to the TEU’s traffic accident investigation report, the incident happened at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the intersection of Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard in Barangay Capitol Site.

Investigators said CCTV footage showed Verano directing traffic when he signaled an Isuzu MU-X to stop while he proceeded toward the middle lane to manage traffic congestion.

The report stated that the SUV initially stopped but suddenly accelerated after Verano turned his back.

The front portion of the vehicle struck the traffic enforcer, causing him to fall onto the roadway. Investigators said the vehicle’s left front wheel then ran over Verano’s left hand before the driver continued moving without stopping to render assistance.

READ: LTO summons driver for allegedly intimidating traffic enforcer

Verano was immediately taken by ambulance to a nearby private hospital for medical treatment.

The TEU report noted that the driver allegedly disregarded the lawful hand signal of a traffic officer performing official duties and failed to render assistance after the collision, as required under Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

As of this writing, the driver remains under the custody of the TEU pending the filing of charges.

City backs enforcer

Osmeña said a private lawyer had volunteered to represent Verano free of charge in pursuing the criminal case.

He also said the city government was taking care of the injured enforcer’s medical treatment and related expenses.

Earlier, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) head Raquel Arce said Verano suffered fractures in all three bones of the ring finger on his left hand, while one of his fingernails was torn off during the incident.

He remains under medical observation as doctors continue evaluating him for possible additional injuries.

Osmeña personally visited Verano at the hospital on Wednesday together with Arce and City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program (CHAMP) Executive Director Raychie Lomongo.

Driver’s explanation

In the initial investigation, Arce said the retired engineer from Toledo City told authorities he had accidentally released the brake of his automatic transmission vehicle after stopping at the intersection, causing the SUV to lurch forward.

According to Arce, the driver also admitted undergoing heart bypass surgery in April and had been advised by his doctor not to resume driving.

The driver likewise denied intentionally fleeing the scene, saying he became rattled after the collision.

However, the TEU investigation found that the vehicle continued moving after hitting the traffic enforcer and that the driver failed to stop and render assistance before he was later apprehended with the help of concerned bystanders.

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