Authorities at the scene after a deadly car crash at the NAIA Terminal 1, May 4, 2025. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office suspended Sunday the license of the driver in the deadly crash at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with the Transportation chief saying the driver will undergo drug testing.

In a statement, the LTO said it preventively suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of the motorist behind the fatal accident at the NAIA Terminal 1.

Under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, drivers of motor vehicles involved in accidents resulting in injuries or death "shall be subjected to chemical tests, including a drug screening test and, if necessary, a drug confirmatory test ... to determine the presence and/or concentration of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or similar substances in the bloodstream or body."

Refusal to submit to drug testing could lead to the confiscation or revocation of their driver's licenses as well as other penalties.

Two people died — a 29-year-old man and a four-year-old girl — after an SUV rammed into the departure entrance area at NAIA Terminal 1, according to an incident report by NAIA Police Station 1. 

Three people were injured and brought to the hospital.

Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, in the same release, said the agency issued a show-cause order against the registered owner of the driver.

Mendoza said the driver was asked to surrender his driver’s license "in the soonest possible time."

Car crash at NAIA Terminal 1 departure area leaves 2 dead

WHAT HAPPENED

The driver is in police custody for investigation.

Based on the police report, the driver said he started his vehicle after dropping off a passenger when a sedan passed in front of him.

This supposedly caused the suspect to forget to transfer his foot to the brake pedal, leading to the crash.

In the CCTV footage obtained by ABS-CBN, sedans were seen parked beside the black SUV.

Based on initial information, Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon believes the suspect did not go to the airport with the intent of crashing the vehicle.

“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.

DRUG TEST

Dizon added that they will look at other angles of the CCTV footage.

The suspect is also due to undergo mandatory drug testing, according to the transportation chief.

In a statement, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) said they are investigating the incident along with PNP and MIAA Security.

“The area has since been secured, and access is now limited to authorized personnel from New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and MIAA Security, who are currently conducting a full investigation,” the statement read.

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.

NNIC added that those injured are being treated. NNIC is waiting for confirmation on the cause of the incident.

In a statement, NNIC President Ramon Ang committed to shouldering the medical expenses of the four people injured and giving financial assistance to the families of those who died.

Dizon appealed to the public to treat the situation with sensitivity following the emergence of various viral videos of the incident.

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