LTO PROBES VIRAL VIDEO OF PICK-UP TRUCK DRIVER FALLING ASLEEP

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has started conducting an investigation into the viral video of a motorist who was reported to have fallen asleep while driving a pick-up truck in Metro Manila.

LTO chief, Assistant Secretary attorney Vigor D. Mendoza II said the investigation was immediately launched after the agency’s social media monitoring team chanced upon the viral video posted by a certain Yamato Kenji about a black Ford Ranger.

As of the latest monitoring, the video has over three million views.

“While it was stated in the video that the driver fell asleep, we want to know what really happened—kung nakatulog ba talaga at kung medical reason ay kailangan natin humingi ng katibayan dahil napakadelikado yung insidenteng yun,” said Mendoza.

In the video, the pick-up truck was seen slowly travelling along the road while some motorists were trying to wake him up while at least one person was seen trying to stop the vehicle.

The incident resulted in damage to property and the driver was later seen waking up.

Mendoza said a show cause order was already issued to the registered owner of the pick-up truck, who is a resident of Quezon City.

In the SCO signed by LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante, the registered owner was asked to explain why he should not be penalized for the incident.

Mendoza said part of the investigation is to determine if the registered owner was the one driving the vehicle at the time of the incident, and to clarify reports that the driver was drunk.

Among the violations that the LTO are conducting are cases of reckless driving, driving under the influence of liquor and for being an unauthorized person to operate a motor vehicle.

“Meanwhile, please be informed that the Ford Ranger bearing plate no. NHD3814 will be temporarily placed under “ALARM” preventing any and all transactions while under investigation,” the SCO read.

“Failure to appear and submit the written comment/explanation as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your rights to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” it added.