The sole survivor of the SCTEX collision has been released from the hospital but is still suffering from physical and emotional pain. Jerry Tuazon, the driver of the van that was hit by the speeding bus, is now relying on medication and the support of family and friends. He said faith in God and the love of the people around him are what keep him going.
Tuazon said that he was with his wife, son, sister-in-law, and church members, all of whom died. They were on their way to Pangasinan for a children's camp and were planning to go straight to Baguio afterward. They stopped at a gasoline station before continuing their journey—that's where the tragedy occurred just a few meters away.
When he woke up, he was in the hospital. He couldn't remember anything about the crash itself. When the doctor told him that he was the only survivor, his heart was broken. He said, “My passengers, entrusted me with it, and I couldn't do anything.”
Tuazon chose to forgive the bus driver, and he holds no grudge against him. He also called on the bus company to fix their system—such as regular drug testing, fair working hours, and seminars for drivers. According to him, “They are people too, not robots.”
Due to the SCTEX crash, 10 people died, including 4 children, while 37 were injured. In response, the DOTr issued new policies for safer roads, including stricter drug testing, shorter driving hours, and stricter roadworthiness checks on passenger vehicles.
