Allegedly drunk Brit kills Thai man in car crash in central Thailand
An alleged drunken Englishman killed one Thai man and injured another in a car crash in Rayong province in the central part of Thailand.
Locals who know the foreign driver told police he is regularly drunk and often drives in the wrong direction.
The Englishman, 70 year old Stephen Peter Hobbs, was arrested yesterday after he reversed his pickup into the two Thai men standing in his way, instantly killing 53 year old Nirun Pramuan and injuring 32 year old Chanasak, who is being treated in a nearby hospital.
The alleged intoxicated man from Newport was also injured and admitted to hospital. He was reported to be trapped in his pickup cab and helped out by the rescue team.
The incident happened at 7pm at a parking area along Suan Son – Ban Phe Beach Road. A witness informed the media that the Englishman parked his pickup in a parking area and then suddenly reversed the vehicle. The victims were stood behind the car and couldn’t get out of the way in time.
Hops then drove forward and crashed into four motorcycles and cars parked at the scene before he flipped over his vehicle.
Officers from Ban Phe Police Station made it known they tested the Englishman for his alcohol levels and he will be charged when he recovers from his injuries.
According to Section 423 (2) of the Land Traffic Act: drivers shall not drive the vehicle while being intoxicated by liquor or other alcoholic drinks. If anyone fails to follow the law and causes the death of another, they would face a penalty of imprisonment from three to 10 years and a fine from 60,000 to 200,000 baht. The driving license will be also revoked.
