Drunk driver hits motorcyclist, injures pedestrian before crash in Bangkok
A motorcyclist tragically lost her life when she was struck by a drunken pickup truck driver, who then went on to hit another woman. The driver, a 57 year old man, claimed he had a blackout caused by pre-existing health problems. The collision occurred yesterday at approximately 9pm, in the vicinity of the entrance to Soi Krungthep Kreetha 45, Thap Chang, Saphan Sung, Bangkok.
The deceased motorcyclist was Pattarasaya Uthongmak. The vehicle involved was a silver bronze Toyota pickup with license plate 6 กภ 9236 registered in Bangkok. The alleged drunk driver, identified as Somchai Cherdwongtrakul, was behind the wheel. Authorities had to lift the truck to remove Pattarasaya’s body from beneath it. Her blue Honda Dream motorbike, with license plate กยก 638, was severely damaged.
Another injured victim, Chularat Moosa, 23 years old, was hit while alighting from a white Honda City car, license plate 5 กฐ 9979. She was taken to Petchwet Hospital by rescue workers.
Investigations revealed that during the incident, Somchai was driving his pickup truck when it suddenly veered into the opposite lane, as there was no road divider on Krungthep Kreetha Road. He collided with Pattarasaya’s motorbike and then hit Chularat.
Somchai, who was still under the influence of alcohol, reportedly admitted to drinking before driving and disclosed that he suffered from heart and blood pressure diseases. He claimed to have lost consciousness during the accident, which led his vehicle to cross the opposite lane. Authorities took Somchai in for an alcohol test before pressing charges for driving under the influence, resulting in the death and injury of others.
At the beginning of this year, a foreigner and his Thai wife were seriously injured after a white sedan crashed into their motorcycle last night when they made a U-turn at Samerng Intersection in Chiang Mai province.
A witness reported the collision to the Hang Dong Police Station at 7pm, on January 4. The accident happened in front of a convenience store at the Samerng Intersection on Samerng-Chiang Mai Road. To read more click here
