The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) served a show-cause order (SCO) against the driver of a mini dump truck that figured in the recent accident at Barangay Guimbalaon in Negros Occidental’s Silay City that killed seven passengers.

The SCO, approved by LTO-6 Director Gaudioso Geduspan II and signed by LTO-E.B. Magalona District chief Reuben Tampos, was issued against Hernane Masa.

Masa has five calendar days to submit a written explanation to LTO-6’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit in Iloilo City, the SCO said.

Failure to respond to the order will be deemed a waiver of his right to be heard, allowing LTO-6 to resolve the case based on existing evidence.

Sections 18, 32 and 48 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, require vehicles to display valid number plates, mandate the exercise of due care, and prohibit reckless driving.

Seven job order employees were killed, while 17 others were injured, when the mini dump truck carrying them figured in a vehicle mishap on June 27.

Masa was driving the mini dump truck — owned by the Silay City government — carrying 23 job order city government employees.

A police investigation indicated that Masa, a resident of Silay’s Barangay E. Lopez, allegedly lost control of the truck after the brakes broke.

The vehicle veered and swerved, striking a concrete barrier along Sitio San Juan on C.L. Ledesma National Highway, and overturned, ejecting several passengers.

The seven employees were dead on the spot, police said, while some were thrown off and others were pinned under the vehicle./WDJ