The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued orders suspending the operations of two bus companies, whose units were involved in a freak road accident that burned a doctor to death along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Quezon City, early Tuesday.

LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion issued 30-day suspension orders against Joana Jess Transport and Commuter Bus Corp. pending an investigation.

Lantion said the LTFRB will issue a show-cause order on the two bus companies. He said the officials of the two bus companies will also be subjected to questioning by the board.

The suspension came after the companies' buses figured in a freak accident that killed prominent doctor Dr. Francisco Moreno Sarabia along EDSA in front of Camp Aguinaldo between 3:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.

Sarabia was charred to death after being pinned inside his burning old Mercedes Benz model.

A radio dzMM report said Sarabia was cruising along EDSA in front of Camp Aguinaldo when his car's rear was bumped by a speeding Joanna Jess bus (TYG-660) driven by Margarito Madrid.

Police said that based on the accounts of witnesses, Sarabia's car was following a bus marked "Commuter Bus" with plate number TXE-812, when it's rear was hit by the Joanna Jess bus, which was reportedly racing with another Joanna Jess bus with plate number TYF 860.

Traffic policemen said the gasoline tank of Sarabia's car could have exploded due to the impact.

Rescuers were able to pluck out Sarabia's doctor companion, initially named as Henny Garcia, from the burning vehicle. Sarabia's companion has been declared safe by doctors at the East Avenue Medical Center.

By the time the rescuers returned for Sarabia, his body was already charred by the fire, which also totally burned down his car. Investigators said Sarabia fainted after his legs were cut after the collision.

Two bus passengers identified as Salvador de Guzman and Lerentino Divino were hurt during the collision.

The Joana Jess driver had surrendered to the police. The driver, however, declined to give statements to the media. He said he had been advised by their company lawyer not to make media statements.