Samut prakan: A speeding pickup truck swerved off a curve and crashed into a taxi, spinning out into the middle of the road, and swerving past a motorcycle before crashing into an electric pole. Villagers scattered in panic. The driver gave a slurred speech before falling asleep in the police car.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage from the Bang Nam Chuet Fire Station near Soi Si Warin Noi in Bang Phli District at 8:20 PM yesterday captured a pickup truck losing control of a curve, spinning across lanes, and colliding with a green and yellow taxi driving in the opposite direction. The taxi then spun into the road. The pickup truck then lost control and slammed into a motorcycle taxi stand in front of the station, sending several drivers fleeing in panic. The pickup truck then slammed into an electric pole, with the driver unharmed. Several vehicles were damaged, including the taxi, two motorcycles belonging to the taxi stand, and the pickup truck. The taxi driver and two passengers were injured.
Mr. Thitiphong, 30, the driver of the pickup truck involved in the accident, recounted in a dazed, sleepy voice with glazed eyes, reminiscent of a drunk driver. He said that earlier that evening, before the accident, he had crashed into the median in the same alley, causing his car to be thrown away by an oncoming motorcycle, injuring one person. Later, police from Bang Sao Thong Police Station, the scene of the first accident, told him to drive to the station to meet with investigators. When he arrived at the scene, a curve in the road caused the steering wheel to not turn properly, causing the car to lose control and veer across lanes into the other party. He denied drinking any alcohol or drinking kratom tea. Shortly after, Mr. Thitiphong fell asleep in the duty officer's car.
Police also found a syringe filled with an unknown liquid. The syringe was taken to determine if it contained drugs and taken to Bang Phli Police Station. A urine test came back positive, so the syringe was taken to Bang Phli Hospital for examination before being charged.