Authorities have suspended the license of the driver involved in the fatal car crash at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 and confirmed he will undergo mandatory drug testing as part of an ongoing investigation.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Sunday, May 4, that it had issued a 90-day preventive suspension of the driver’s license following the deadly incident. The crash claimed the lives of a 28-year-old man and a five-year-old girl, and left three others injured.
Under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, drivers involved in accidents that result in injuries or fatalities are required to submit to chemical testing to check for the presence of alcohol or illegal substances in their system. Refusal to comply with such testing could lead to the revocation of their driver’s license and additional penalties.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II also confirmed that a show-cause order has been issued to the registered owner of the vehicle involved. The driver has been asked to formally surrender his license at the soonest possible time.
Crash Details
According to the NAIA Police Station 1 incident report, the crash occurred near the departure entrance of Terminal 1 when an SUV plowed into the area, striking multiple pedestrians. Initial investigations reveal that the driver had just dropped off a passenger and was about to drive away when the accident happened.
The driver told police that a sedan suddenly passed in front of his vehicle, which caused him to momentarily panic and forget to move his foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal. This lapse, he claimed, led to the SUV surging forward uncontrollably.
CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed several sedans parked beside the black SUV just before the incident, corroborating parts of the driver’s account. The footage is still being reviewed for additional angles that could clarify the sequence of events.
No Indication of Intent
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon, who inspected the crash site on Sunday morning, stated that initial findings suggest the crash was not intentional.
“So far, it seems the driver didn’t go to the airport with the intention to harm anyone. He had dropped off a passenger, which indicates that he was there for a legitimate purpose,” said Dizon.
Despite this, Dizon stressed that all possible angles would be reviewed, and the suspect will still be subjected to a mandatory drug test to rule out any influence of intoxicating substances.
Full Investigation Underway
The New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) released a statement confirming that a full investigation is being conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Security.
“The area has since been secured, and access is now restricted to authorized personnel from NNIC, PNP, and MIAA Security. We are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident,” the company stated.
As of early afternoon on Sunday, the damaged section near the departure area had been cleared and operations had returned to normal. Metal barriers that were struck during the crash have been restored.
Public Safety Concerns
The incident has sparked renewed concern over vehicle safety and traffic management in crowded public transport terminals. The LTO emphasized that the 90-day suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the public while the investigation is ongoing.
Officials also reminded drivers that compliance with post-accident procedures—including drug testing—is not optional and is critical in determining accountability and ensuring justice for victims.
Further updates will be released once the results of the drug test and full investigation are finalized.