Pattaya: US pensioner killed after collision with tree in central reservation - microsleep blamed

 

Picture: Banmuang

 

Na Jomtien police were called after a Mitsubishi Triton with Bangkok plates slammed into a frangipani tree in the central reservation of Sukhumvit Road (KM 158) yesterday around lunchtime.

 

The site of the accident is the main road between Pattaya and Sattahip.

 

Slumped behind the wheel unconscious but still breathing was 74 year old American Ronald Ma Silvestro.

 

Ban Muang reported that the portly man was given first aid and CPR at the scene then taken to Wat Yansangwararam hospital.

 

Despite the best efforts of doctors he later succumbed to his injuries and died.

 

Pol Capt Pongsawat Momongkhun of the Na Jomtien constabulary said that witnesses saw the vehicle veer into and mount the central reservation before hitting the tree.

 

He suspects that a microsleep or what the Thais call "lap nai" was to blame.

 

Source: Banmuang

 

 

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3 minutes ago, webfact said:

He suspects that a microsleep or what the Thais call "lap nai" was to blame.

Why suspect anything, when he hasn't got a <deleted> clue ?

Best say nothing, and wait for the expert's opinion.

R.I.P.

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

Slumped behind the wheel unconscious but still breathing was 74 year old American Ronald Ma Silvestro.

heart attack, stroke...

not much damage to the truck.

RIP.

 

Micro-sleep blamed????  No, that’s a potential result along with a crash.

 

Driving while tired ‘may’ be blamed (if a mircosleep happened) which means the deceased ‘may’ be blamed for careless decision making endangering others and ultimately himself. 

 

Blaming a ‘micro-sleep’ is like blaming a wet road. 

 

But, it is not known at all what happened - how can they possibly blame something without any information other than someone had an accident, at least until an autopsy is carried out and disregarded other possible reasons. 

Happened in Ban Ampur. We passed by this sad accident about three minutes after it happened, there was a Navy guy giving CPR to him.

The road at this point is just after the traffic lights on the southbound carriageway, traffic moves quite slowly through it and not the kind of place where one would fall asleep as three lanes of slow moving traffic and a U Turn further down.

 

The kerb to the central reservation where the trees are is quite high so not sure how the truck could have jumped it into the tree.

 

I said to my wife because of the CPR going on that it looked like he had a stroke or heart attack rather than falling sleep.

     Doesn't look like enough damage to cause serious injury , unless he wasn't wearing a seat belt ? An important piece of information that the Navy guy could've given the police .

4 hours ago, Rimmer said:

 

The kerb to the central reservation where the trees are is quite high so not sure how the truck could have jumped it into the tree.

 

I said to my wife because of the CPR going on that it looked like he had a stroke or heart attack rather than falling sleep.

RIP mr Ronald.

 

Many elderly farangs die in Pattaya this month. Belgium, German, UK and this USA man.

20 minutes ago, Yinn said:

RIP mr Ronald.

 

Many elderly farangs die in Pattaya this month. Belgium, German, UK and this USA man.

Far more Thais dead this month I'm sure. ????

7 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

heart attack, stroke...

not much damage to the truck.

RIP.

 

agree, the damage does not indicate he died due to the impact unless he wasn't wearing his seatbelt but even then it is still hard to believe - it matters not a jot at the end of the day 

 

RIP

16 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Why suspect anything, when he hasn't got a <deleted> clue ?

Best say nothing, and wait for the expert's opinion.

R.I.P.

Could be anything, a minor stroke or cardiac issue, why say anything. 

Just an opportunity to say something in vogue!  

Porty 74 year old ? Sadly my money is on heart attack

17 hours ago, webfact said:

He suspects that a microsleep or what the Thais call "lap nai" was to blame.

I was under impression that micro sleep was an occupation reserved exclusively for Thais...

RIP Mr Ronald

7 minutes ago, hobobo said:

I was under impression that micro sleep was an occupation reserved exclusively for Thais...

RIP Mr Ronald

Not so. It's been known about in the developed countries for years.

cardio vascular seemingly more likely...

 

 - the News made a concerted point with his 'portly' description

18 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Micro-sleep blamed????  No, that’s a potential result along with a crash.

 

Driving while tired ‘may’ be blamed (if a mircosleep happened) which means the deceased ‘may’ be blamed for careless decision making endangering others and ultimately himself. 

 

Blaming a ‘micro-sleep’ is like blaming a wet road. 

 

But, it is not known at all what happened - how can they possibly blame something without any information other than someone had an accident, at least until an autopsy is carried out and disregarded other possible reasons. 

micro sleep is new buzz word replacing brake failure.

19 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

heart attack, stroke...

not much damage to the truck.

RIP.

 

I would agree that is very possible.  I have read that the aorta actually bursts quite often in these type of head on rapid deceleration type of accidents, especially in older folks due to the arterial wall being weak.  Aorta bursts, internally the person bleeds out

19 hours ago, webfact said:

the portly man

5555....old school adage ....

34 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

I would agree that is very possible.  I have read that the aorta actually bursts quite often in these type of head on rapid deceleration type of accidents, especially in older folks due to the arterial wall being weak.  Aorta bursts, internally the person bleeds out

Or an aneurysm.  Quite common, can happen in various parts of the body. A few years back, I had an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  It got to be 6.5 cm in diameter.  Had it burst, I would have had only a few minutes to live.  I now have a "zipper belly" scar that goes from nipples to nads.  I had no symptoms.  It ran in the family and a precautionary test showed it.  Pop!

 

20 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Why suspect anything, when he hasn't got a <deleted> clue ?

Best say nothing, and wait for the expert's opinion.

R.I.P.

To preempt all the speculation by our DSI: TVF experts and give them something to disagree with?

A lot of accidents blamed on "micro sleeps" are actually suicides.  Life insurance pays out for fatigue at the wheel, but not a balcony jump.  Think about it. 

18 hours ago, Leaver said:

A lot of accidents blamed on "micro sleeps" are actually suicides. 

Yeah, right.  Based on what evidence?

4 hours ago, Just Weird said:

Yeah, right.  Based on what evidence?

Based on circumstancial evidence.

 

Recent relationship breakdown.  Financial stress.  Health issues.  Depression.

 

Why go out with an obvious suicide, leaving your next of kin nothing, when you can line up a pole or a tree and leave them a big payout.

 

Do you think it doesn't happen?   

On 2/20/2020 at 10:30 PM, smedly said:

agree, the damage does not indicate he died due to the impact unless he wasn't wearing his seatbelt but even then it is still hard to believe - it matters not a jot at the end of the day 

 

RIP

what about an airbag inflating ??? did this work ??

Rest in Peace.

On 2/20/2020 at 2:35 PM, webfact said:

US pensioner

These two words are not used together in America.

 

US retiree.  

3 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

These two words are not used together in America.

 

US retiree.  

It's 3 words and you're not in Kansas now Dorothy.

Just now, DannyCarlton said:

4 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

These two words are not used together in America.

 

US retiree.  

It's 3 words and you're not in Kansas now Dorothy.

 Self Funded Retiree? 

1 minute ago, tifino said:

 Self Funded Retiree? 

United States pensioner.

On 2/20/2020 at 1:04 AM, Rimmer said:

Happened in Ban Ampur. We passed by this sad accident about three minutes after it happened, there was a Navy guy giving CPR to him.

The road at this point is just after the traffic lights on the southbound carriageway, traffic moves quite slowly through it and not the kind of place where one would fall asleep as three lanes of slow moving traffic and a U Turn further down.

 

The kerb to the central reservation where the trees are is quite high so not sure how the truck could have jumped it into the tree.

 

I said to my wife because of the CPR going on that it looked like he had a stroke or heart attack rather than falling sleep.

Hello, that is my father. I just discovered earlier this afternoon from another article that he passed away. I emailed him 4 days ago and when he did not respond, I felt compelled to look him up online...Would someone mind advising me on how to navigate the process of...verifying the death of a family member in Thailand? I tried calling his wife and it was difficult to communicate with her as my Thai is broken. I tried calling her a second time but she did not pick up the phone or respond to my text messages. I do not know if he was buried or cremated and where. Thank you. I can't tell you how grieved I am to discover his passing this way. 

On 2/20/2020 at 2:39 PM, Thaiwrath said:

Best say nothing, and wait for the expert's opinion.

???? RIP 

Edited March 9, 20206 yr by CGW