Bus driver in journalist's fatal road accident surrenders

After nearly a week of hiding, the driver of the bus that killed journalist-professor Lourdes “Chit" Estella-Simbulan finally turned himself in to authorities before midnight Thursday.

Daniel Espinosa, accompanied by relatives, surrendered to Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte past 11 p.m., radio dzBB reported early Friday.

"Mga 11 ng gabi, doon sa opisina ni Vice Mayor itong si Daniel Espinosa, the alleged driver of bus na nakabundol sa sasakyan ni (Professor) Estella-Simbulan, sumuko siya,"Davao City police chief Senior Superintendent Rene Aspera said.

He said Espinosa was with his relatives who are residents of the Toril district in Davao City.

Aspera said the driver was to be brought to Metro Manila Friday to face charges against him. Espinosa had been charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property.

The dzBB report quoted Espinosa as saying he went to relatives in Davao City immediately after the May 13 incident, claiming he was afraid for his life.

Espinosa had been in hiding since May 13, when the “Universal Guiding Star" bus he was driving rammed a taxicab carrying Estella-Simbulan.

The accident occurred along Quezon City's Commonwealth Avenue, a 12.4-km stretch of road dubbed the “killer highway" due to the high volume of road accidents there.

Authorities have since clamped down on traffic enforcement there, and had suspended the bus firm that hired Espinosa.

While Espinosa’s wife claimed it was the first time for him to figure in such an accident, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority records showed Espinosa had been involved in at least four accidents in the last two months.