Cellphone-using driver runs over pedestrian in Pasig

A pedestrian was run over by a driver fiddling with his cellphone while driving his white van in Brgy. San Antonio, Pasig.

In the CCTV footage of the incident, the van was seen swerving from a lane to the sidewalk of Brgy. San Antonio, knocking into the pedestrian and a parked car pushed forward by the force of the van's acceleration.

According to a report by Emil Sumangil on 24 Oras on Tuesday, the pedestrian was swept under the van and remained under the vehicle for at least five minutes, but only sustained minor bruises.

Kag. Melvin Villacruz, Brgy. San Antonio Rescue chief, said the driver lost focus while using his phone.

"Nalaglag daw yung cellphone habang may kausap siya. At nung paglaglag ng cellphone, nakita niya, kumakabig na ng kanan yung kanyang manibela. At nung naapakan niya yung kala niya ay preno, yun pala accelerate, nabangga niya yung tao," Villacruz said.

Though the driver paid for the pedestrian's treatment and accepted responsibility for the accident, Villacruz cautioned drivers to remain alert and abstain from using their phones while on the wheel.

"Ang attention ng driver talaga is more on driving lang. 'Wag tayo sa atensyon, sa kinakausap mo. Kasi minsan nangyayari, nasa daan nga tayo, is yung pagaaway niyo, concern niyo regarding dun sa paguusap niyo," he said. —Rie Takumi/JST, GMA News