Nelson Morales

DOTr says NAIA T1 car crash seems unintentional; investigation ongoing

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746351277997050425_NAIA.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Authorities clear the site of the car crash at the NAIA Terminal 1, which killed two and injured three others, May 4, 2025. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Authorities clear the site of the car crash at the NAIA Terminal 1, which killed two and injured three others, May 4, 2025. <em>Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The driver of an SUV that rammed into a part of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday morning is under investigation, but Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon believes, based on initial information, that the crash was unintentional.</p><p>The accidental left two people dead — a four-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man — and three injured.</p><p>“So right now, initially mukhang hindi pumunta dito ‘yung driver para managasa. Hindi intentional dahil nakita natin na mayroon talaga siyang hinatid na pasahero dito,” Dizon said after inspecting the crash site on Sunday morning.</p><p>(Initially, it does not seem that he went to the airport with the intention to run people over. It does not seem intentional since he really did bring a passenger there.)</p><p>Dizon added they will need to look at other angles of the CCTV footage.</p><p>The suspect is also due to undergo mandatory drug testing, according to the transportation chief. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DRIVER&#x27;S LICENSE SUSPENDED </strong></div><p>In a separate statement on Sunday, the Department of Transportation said its initial review of CCTV footage “indicates there was no premeditated plan to inflict harm.”</p><p>It added it is working with the Manila International Airport Authority and law enforcement agencies on a &quot;full and impartial investigation&quot; into the incident.</p><p>The Land Transportation Office has also suspended the license of the driver of the black SUV for 90 days pending results of the investigation.</p><p>Based on the police report, the driver said he started his vehicle after sending off a passenger when a sedan passed in front of him.</p><p>This supposedly caused the suspect to forget to transfer his foot to the brake pedal, leading to the crash.</p><p>In the CCTV footage obtained by ABS-CBN News, sedans were seen parked beside the black SUV. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OPERATIONS BACK TO NORMAL</strong></div><p>As of 1:50 p.m operations are back to normal at the Departure Area entrance with authorities having cleaned up the crash site and restored the metal barriers.</p><p>Dizon also appealed to the public to treat the situation with sensitivity following the emergence of various viral videos of the incident.</p><p>&quot;So please, we just would like to ask everyone to please respect the victims. Nabalitaan ko maraming mga social media footage na lumalabas ngayon ng mga taong nag-upload.&quot;</p><p>(I have heard that a lot of footage is coming out on social media.)</p><p>Ramon Ang, the president of airport operator New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., has committed to provide financial assistance to the victims of the car accident.</p><p>NNIC said its president will personally provide financial assistance to the victims’ bereaved families, and shoulder the medical expenses of the injured individuals.</p><p>“This is a very tragic incident. Our priority now is to make sure the victims and their families receive the support and care they need,” Ang, who was with Dizon in his inspection of the car crash site, said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/4/casualties-reported-in-car-crash-at-naia-terminal-1-departure-area-0937">Car crash at NAIA Terminal 1 departure area leaves 2 dead</a></div><div><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E4B5qf0DWz4?si=R7UwrIJgyhVqja9I" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said they will need to look at other angles of the CCTV footage of the crash. The driver is also due to undergo mandatory drug testing.</p>

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said they will need to look at other angles of the CCTV footage of the crash. The driver is also due to undergo mandatory drug testing.