MARKO de Guzman, a University of Santo Tomas (UST) mechanical engineering student whose Grab service vehicle figured in a road accident on Taft Avenue in Manila on Oct. 26, passed away on Tuesday due to severe traumatic brain injury he sustained.
The car crash that killed the 20-year-old graduating student is a “wake up call” for all motorists to recognize greater responsibility, Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu said in a statement Wednesday.
“Marko’s tragic death is a wakeup call for all motorists to recognize the greater responsibility they hold the moment they hit the road. Beyond the available road rules, insurance support and safety campaigns in TNVS, it is a courteous and responsible driving behavior that will make the transport sector safer everyday,” Cu said.
De Guzman was confined in critical condition at the Manila Doctors Hospital after he lost a fist-size part of his brain due to the accident.
Luz Lourdes de Guzman, Marko’s mother had spoken to the Grab driver, who reportedly said that he was feeling sleepy when the accident happened. The driver is now facing charges.
The Manila Police Traffic Bureau reported that the Grab driver made a sudden turn along Taft Avenue at 4 a.m. on Oct. 26 and hit the scaffolding on the side of the road. Then a vehicle behind them crashed into the Grab car.
“Our priority is to cooperate with the authorities to help shed light on the cause of this accident and bring swift justice to Marko’s early passing. The parties directly involved must be held to greater liability. Grab has swiftly offered support to help the family for the accident. Similarly, the driver of the private vehicle involved should do the same instead of staying in silence,” Cu said.
“Grab will continue to do our part to educate our users to uphold the rules of the road. We are also continuously working with the authorities to help in the investigation of Marko De Guzman’s case,” he added.
Grab also assured De Guzman’s family that it will provide financial support even beyond legal obligations. (Erma Edera)