Only survivor of van in deadly SCTEX crash out of hospital, recalls fateful day: 'Sobrang bigat'
The only survivor of the van involved in the fatal multi-vehicle collision along the northbound lane of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway on May 1 is already out of the hospital, but is still in a lot of pain—physically and emotionally.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Jerry Tuazon, the driver of the van that was among those hit by a speeding bus, said he's only getting by through pain relievers.
"Masakit pa po talaga ang katawan ko. Ang nakakatulong talaga sa akin, unang-una, 'yung aking pananampalataya sa Panginoon. Tapos 'yung mga dumadalaw: mga kapatid, mga tao. 'Yung suporta nila, grabe, 'yun 'yung nagpapalakas sa akin," he said.
"Kanina, paggising ko, halos 'di ako makabangon," he added.
Tuazon recalled being with eight others—including his wife, their only child, sister-in-law, and churchmates—who were killed in the incident.
"Grabe," he said, fighting back tears.
Fatal multi-collision
According to Tuazon, they were headed to Pangasinan for a children's camp on that fateful day.
“Tuwang-tuwa sila," he said. "Sabi nila, after ng camping, diretso kami ng Baguio. Siyempre, andoon ka na sa area na 'yun."
They made preparations, including replacing their flat tires.
"Tumuloy kami... ang usapan namin ay kakain kami," he said. "Dumaan kami ng gasoline station. Sabi nila, doon na lang sa venue kumain. Umihi lang sila, sumakay, umalis na kami."
But after traveling a few meters away from the gasoline station, little did they know that they were about to get into an accident.
Tuazon was trying his best to recall other details, but couldn't.
"Hindi na pinaalala sa akin ng Panginoon 'yun, sa ngayon," he said. "Nagkataon po na sa pagkakataon na ‘yun, ay kami ‘yung ginawang preno ng bus. Wala akong naramdaman. Ni marinig, wala. Hanggang ngayon, iniisip ko, pinipilit kong isipin, wala akong narinig. Pero nagising po ako, nasa ospital na ako.”
"Pagmulat ng mata ko, may ibang tao akong nakita," he said, pertaining to other victims.
Looking back, Tuazon thought he was just dreaming.
"Hindi ito 'yung punta ko," he said, adding that when he woke up, he realized he was still in the hospital instead of traveling to the children's camp.
He got confused when he was told, "Wala kang kasalanan." He asked for his family and was told they're in another room.
"Ako po'y umaasa na andoon ang pamilya ko," he said, adding that he thought he caused an accident, leading to his hospitalization.
He said he thought authorities were just waiting for him to recover before arresting him.
Later on, the police approached him to sign a document, saying cases would be filed against someone who hit his vehicle, much to his confusion.
"'Di pa nagsisink in sa akin. Ano 'to?" he said. "Tapos may narinig akong empleyado ng ospital, 'Siya lang po 'yung natitira doon sa loob ng van.' Ako daw 'yung survivor."
That was when he realized that his family and their close friends were all gone.
“Nadurog na 'yung puso ko. Sobrang bigat," he said, fighting back tears again and his voice cracking.
"'Yung mga sakay ko, pinagkatiwala sa akin. 'Yung hipag ko, anak, asawa ko, 'yung kapitbahay namin. Sa akin pinagkatiwala ‘yun, tapos wala akong nagawa... Grabe, durog talaga ako. Durog talaga ang puso ko."
Tuazon recalled people telling him that it's a miracle that he survived.
"Wala akong bali sa katawan, hindi nabiyak ulo ko. Wala talaga,” he said.
Later on, he was able to see his family members—and confirm the bittersweet reality he's already in.
"Para sa akin, sila ay natutulog lamang," he said. "Noong nakita ko sila, sabi ko, masaya na ako na pinahiram kayo ng Panginoon nang ilang araw, mga panahon, at taon."
Tuazon also said that he had already forgiven the bus driver in question.
"Doon po sa driver, sa puso ko, isip ko, wala akong sama ng loob, galit, o kaunting ano sa kaniya," he said. "Kung nakatulog man siya, 'yun ay bunga ng katawan natin. Kung gising siya, malamang, hindi niya kami sasagasaan."
“Okay na po ako. Napatawad ko po 'yung driver," he added.
Tuazon said he doesn't wish for Pangasinan Solid North Transit Incorporated to get shut down following the incident.
"'Sa mga driver, may pamilya po 'yan. Sa mga sumasakay, kailangan po nila 'yan. Ang akin lang po, kung may pagkukulang ang kumpanya, kailangan lang pong kumpletuhin."
He said the company should implement regular drug testing and seminars among its drivers. He also wished for the company to have fair working hours.
"Tao naman sila, hindi sila robot," he said of the bus drivers. "Kung naka-8 hours, 10 hours na sila, dapat magprovide ka ng another driver... Para safe lang lahat, safe ang sakay mo."
During the SCTEX crash, 10 individuals, including four children, were killed while 37 others, including the bus driver and the conductor, sustained injuries.
Solid North's operations have been suspended for 30 days following the incident.
DOTr department order
The Department of Transportation on May 5 issued an order implementing several policy changes after the SCTEX crash—on top of a May 4 incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where a sports-utility vehicle crashed into the passenger entrance and killed two individuals, including a four-year-old.
The DOTr order includes regular mandatory drug testing for public utility vehicle drivers every 90 days, revision of the maximum consecutive hours of driving from 6 to 4, having two drivers taking turns, and conducting “real” road-worthiness assessments of PUVs, as well as enforcing “very strict, enforceable, and regular” checks akin to other countries' practices.
Dizon also wanted a stricter driver's education, a stronger implementation of the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, and the establishment of the Philippine Transportation Safety Board, as proposed by Sen. Grace Poe.
He also announced the creation of a task force that will conduct a sweeping review of the existing road safety policies and the processes of drivers’ license issuance.
