Phuket truck driver charged over fatal motorbike collision

PHUKET: A helmet-less Phuket motorbike passenger was killed in an accident on Thepkrasattri Road this morning.

Lt Col Sanit Nukong of the Thalang Police was called to the scene, in a northbound lane near the Baan Muang Mai u-turn, at about 10am.

In the middle of the road, he found Wirat Sironghoi, 45, gripped with grief, leaning over the body of his 32-year-old wife, Patcharin.

Pick-up truck driver Wichai Sopha, 27, told police that he was driving toward Baan Muang Mai when the accident happened.

“He said that the motorbike suddenly cut in front of him and that he could not avoid hitting it,” Col Sanit said.

“Mrs Patcharin was thrown to the ground and died at the scene from head injuries. Mr Wichai fell with the motorbike and suffered minor head injuries.”

Col Sanit explained that Mr Wirat was too grief stricken to coherently answer questions about the accident.

“But neither he nor his wife were wearing a helmet,” Col Sanit said.

Mr Wichai was charged with reckless driving causing death.

“We have charged him as standard procedure, but will continue our investigation into the cause of the accident,” Col Sanit added.

— Thawit Bilabdullar