Driving instructor intentionally crashes into and kills Thai police officer (video)

A driving instructor crashed his sedan into the motorbike of a highway police officer in Pathum Thani province in central Thailand yesterday, instantly killing him.

The crash was captured clearly by the camera attached to the highway police officer’s helmet. After inspecting the footage, police believe the crash was intentional.

At 4.30pm, the Highway Police received notification of an accident on the Lam Luk Ka Overpass, located on Highway No.9 in Lam Luk Ka district.

Upon arrival, the police and rescue team found that Pol. Sgt. Satetakarn Loykhampom, from Highway Police Station 2, lying dead on the road.

Satetakarn suffered a major head wound and was found near his damaged Yamaha Tracer 900GT motorcycle, which he used for patrolling the highway.

Approximately 80 metres away from Satetakarn’s body, a damaged black Toyota Vios sedan was parked, and the driver was nowhere to be found. A bottle of beer was discovered inside the car.

CCTV cameras on the road as well as the footage from Satetakarn’s helmet cam show the police officer following the black sedan.

As he closed in on the vehicle, the sedan suddenly cut across into the left lane into Satetakarn, fatally crashing into him.

The sedan then lost control and crashed into the traffic barrier. The driver was spotted getting out of the car and running away from the scene.

At 8.30pm, the driver – identified as 36 year old driving instructor Kittitat Ratprasert – surrendered to officers at Highway Police Station 2. Kittitat was interrogated for over three hours and underwent drug and alcohol testing, which revealed no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system.

According to the police report, Kittitat explained that he had parked his car on the highway to go fishing on the roadside. Satetakarn approached him and asked him to move the car as parking in the area was prohibited.

Kittitat reported that Satetakarn attempted to search his car. He said he got scared of getting arrested because of the vaporiser and a bottle of beer in the vehicle, so he fled.

Kittitat denied any intention to collide with Satetakarn. He claimed that he was frightened and accidentally made a turn and crashed into the motorcycle.

However, the police remain unconvinced by Kittitat’s claim. Police will examine more security camera footage and question witnesses first but say the Kittikat is likely to be charged with intentional murder under Section 289 of the Criminal Code.

The Highway Police Station 2 expressed their condolences over the loss of Satetakarn and emphasised the magnitude of the loss to the department. Satetakarn was a highly respected and accomplished policeman.

As Kittikat entered the station for interrogation, a group of Satetakarn’s friends – some police officers and some – attacked Kittikat.

The friends expressed that they were in a state of disbelief, shock and anger at Kittikat for taking away their friend.

Police officer Satetakarn was soon to be married to his fiancé, his friends told reporters.