CEBU CITY — The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) has suspended the driver’s license of the motorist involved in the collision that seriously injured a Cebu City traffic enforcer, as police prepare to file direct assault with attempted homicide charges over the incident.
The administrative and criminal actions stem from the July 1 crash at the Escario Street-Osmeña Boulevard intersection in Cebu City, where Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) traffic enforcer Jovanne Tudtud Verano was hit by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) while directing traffic.
In an order signed by LTO 7 Director Atty. Wendel Dinglasan, the agency imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of the 62-year-old Toledo City resident pending the outcome of its administrative case.
The driver was also ordered to personally appear before the LTO Operations Division in Cebu City at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 6, and submit a verified or sworn explanation, along with supporting documents, showing why administrative sanctions should not be imposed against him.
The LTO also placed the white Isuzu MU-X involved in the incident under alarm status, temporarily blocking any transaction involving the vehicle until further notice.
According to the agency, CCTV footage showed the SUV initially stopped after Verano signaled it to halt before allegedly moving forward without authorization.
The LTO said the vehicle struck the traffic enforcer, causing him to fall to the pavement, before running over him instead of stopping to render assistance.
The agency said the incident provides sufficient basis to investigate the driver for being an “improper person to operate a motor vehicle” under Section 27 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as amended, and for reckless driving under Section 48 of the same law.
The LTO clarified that its administrative proceedings are separate from any criminal or civil cases arising from the incident.
It also warned that failure to appear at the scheduled hearing or submit the required sworn explanation would allow the agency to resolve the case based on the evidence already on record.
Meanwhile, police have upgraded the complaint they intend to file against the driver.
Traffic Enforcement Unit Investigator Police Staff Sergeant Jacinto Arnado said authorities are now preparing charges of direct assault with attempted homicide, replacing the reckless imprudence complaint initially considered after the collision.
Investigators said Verano, 44, was directing traffic at around 8:30 a.m. on July 1 in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol when he signaled the SUV to stop before moving toward the center of the intersection to ease congestion.
Police said the vehicle initially complied but suddenly accelerated after Verano turned away.
The SUV struck the traffic enforcer, knocking him to the ground, before its left front wheel ran over his left hand.
Bystanders later stopped the vehicle after it became caught in traffic a short distance from the intersection and turned the driver over to the Traffic Enforcement Unit.
Verano was rushed to Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, where initial findings showed that three bones in the ring finger of his left hand had been crushed and one fingernail had been torn off.
He remained under medical care while doctors conducted additional examinations.
CCTO head Raquel Arce said the driver denied intentionally fleeing the scene and maintained that the incident was accidental.
“He said he stepped on the brake when the enforcer stopped him, but because the vehicle was automatic, he accidentally released the brake without shifting to neutral or park, causing the SUV to move forward,” Arce said.
She added that authorities also asked whether the driver had been distracted by a mobile phone or any other activity before the incident, but he denied being distracted.
Arce said the driver disclosed that he had undergone bypass surgery just a few months earlier and had been advised by his doctor not to drive.
Despite the driver’s explanation, Arce said the Cebu City Government would proceed with filing criminal charges following the directive of Mayor Nestor Archival.
“We have to set an example that motorists must exercise extreme caution whenever a traffic enforcer is on the road. He is an agent of a person in authority carrying out his duty,” Arce said.
Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña also said the city would pursue charges, stressing that Verano was performing his duties as a traffic enforcer when the incident occurred.