LTO issues show-cause order against Niño Muhlach over Antipolo road crash
The Land Transportation Office has issued a show-cause order against actor Niño Muhlach in connection to Sunday's road crash in Antipolo City.
In a statement released Tuesday, Aug. 25, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said the agency is conducting an investigation into the incident, which took place along Marcos Highway.
According to reports, Muhlach was driving an SUV toward Masinag when it crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into two shops and an eatery, where one diner was injured. In the crash, the SUV also struck a parked motorcycle, which ended up underneath Muhlach's vehicle.
The Antipolo Component City Police Station also said the actor lost control of his vehicle.
However, in a statement he released the day after the incident, Muhlach wrote he fell asleep behind the wheel.
"Because the incident occurred on a Sunday, my regular driver was on his scheduled day off, and I was driving myself," Muhlach wrote. "While fatigue overtook me, that is no excuse. Falling asleep at the wheel led directly to hitting a pedestrian and damaging nearby establishments."
The actor added he was taking "full personal and legal responsibility for what happened," adding he would give "all necessary care, support, and medical assistance" to the injured individual and fully compensate the damaged establishments.
As part of the LTO's process, Muhlach is required to be at the agency's Intelligence and Investigation Division on Friday, Aug. 28. He is also expected to submit a sworn document explaining the incident.
Further, Muhlach may be charged with reckless driving. He is also facing the possibility of having his license either suspended or revoked if he is found to be an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
"Bago pa man paandarin ang sasakyan, dapat alam na ng driver kung kaya niyang manatiling alerto hanggang sa makarating sa kaniyang destinasyon," Lacanilao said.
"Kung pagod o inaantok, huwag nang ipilit ang pagmamaneho dahil inilalagay lamang niya sa panganib ang kaniyang sarili, pati na rin ang ibang motorista at mga taong nasa paligid," he added.
Muhlach's SUV is now under alarm to prevent any transactions involving the vehicle. Once the actor surrenders his license, it will be placed under a 90-day preventive suspension.
