Police drives against traffic flow and fatally crashes woman in Ratchaburi
Suspect refuses breath alcohol test after head-on collosion, citing chest injury
A police officer, who was reportedly drunk, drove against the flow of traffic and crashed into several motorcycles, resulting in the death of a 64 year old woman in the central province of Ratchaburi yesterday, June 26.
The fatal accident occurred at 7.55am on Song Phon Road, in front of an Isuzu car showroom. A motorist stuck in traffic on the opposite side of the road managed to record a video of the incident, which was later shared on his Facebook account, Warayut Makrachan.
In the footage, a black Honda HR-V SUV can be seen speeding against the traffic flow, heading directly towards a group of motorcyclists. Several riders managed to avoid the oncoming vehicle, but 64 year old Juthathip was unable to do so.
The collision sent her airborne before landing in the middle of the road. Rescue workers were called to the scene to administer first aid and transport her to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries en route.
The driver of the SUV was identified as a police major attached to the Provincial Police Investigation Division. The officer allegedly refused to undergo a breathalyser test at the scene, claiming chest pain prevented him from blowing into the device. He was taken to Ban Pong Hospital for treatment.
Ban Pong Police Station Superintendent, Kobchok Lektrakul, told ThaiRath that medical staff had conducted a blood alcohol test on the suspect, but the results had not yet been released. He added that the officer had not yet been questioned due to his ongoing treatment.
According to Kobchok, the police officer has initially been charged with reckless driving causing death, an offence which carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 200,000 baht under Section 291 of the Criminal Code. Additional charges relating to drink driving may follow once the blood test results are confirmed.
This incident is one of several recent fatal crashes involving allegedly intoxicated police officers. Last week, in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a drunk officer crashed his sedan into several vehicles before colliding with a motorcycle, killing a 62 year old woman.
On Sunday, June 22, a border patrol officer in the southern province of Songkhla reportedly drove under the influence and caused an accident that killed a Thai couple and their five year old son. The precise level of alcohol in his system was not disclosed.
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