LTO revokes license of driver in viral hit-and-run video

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the license of the motorist involved in a hit-and-run incident where a mall security guard was run over by an SUV. 

The suspect can no longer apply for a driver's license or drive a motor vehicle

In a statement on its Facebook page, the LTO announced that Jose Antonio Sanvicente, the SUV’s owner, has also been perpetually disqualified from securing a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle. The agency decided to revoke Sanvicente’s license after the latter refused to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) despite repeated show-cause orders issued against the suspect. 

A June 5 incident which was caught on video and went viral showed an SUV running over security guard Christian Joseph Florande, as he was directing traffic in the vicinity of a shopping mall in Mandaluyong City. Based on the license plate as seen in the video, the SUV was found to be registered under Sanvicente’s name. 

Floralde was rushed to the hospital where he was placed under intensive care. The LTO initially summoned Sanvicente to submit his explanation on June 7 regarding the incident. While the order was received by the suspect’s father Joel, Sanvicente did not heed the directive. 

The LTO found that Sanvicente had three instances of reckless driving on his record prior to the June 5 incident 

The LTO issued a second and final show-cause order against Sanvicente on June 10, which also went unanswered. At this point, the agency placed his license on preventive suspension for 90 days. Sanvicente’s vehicle was also placed under alarm as the LTO conducted its investigation. 

Further verification of Sanvicente’s LTO records showed that he had three prior apprehensions for reckless driving, occuring in 2010, 2015, and 2016. The agency has determined that the suspect violated Section 55 of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code when he refused to stop and extend assistance to Floralde, leading to the revocation of Sanvicente’s driving license. 

The Mandaluyong City Police has filed frustrated murder and abandonment charges against Sanvicente. As of this writing, the suspect remains at large. 

Be updated on the latest mobility-related stories at Philkotse.com.