Actor Kills Garbage Collector In Car Crash

[sriracha john]

Woman killed after actor crashes car 'while asleep'

Popular actor Sornram Theppitak crashed his BMW car on Wednesday night, killing a woman who was collecting garbage for recycling.

Bangkok police have vowed to investigate the incident transparently and ensure justice for both parties.

Sornram, who was slightly injured in the accident, was admitted to Wichaiyuth Hospital, which claimed the actor had no alcohol in his body.

The accident happened on Soi Senanikhom in Lat Phrao district shortly after 11pm. Police found the body of Pitploen Takoma, 58, on the footpath near Sornram's damaged car.

Adirek Phochai, a security officer at a nearby condominium, told police he saw the speeding BMW hit Pitploen before crashing into a phone booth and a roadside tree. Sornram emerged from the car and said he had dozed off while driving, Adirek said, adding that the actor quickly disappeared from the scene.

Sornram's manager later informed the police that the actor had been injured and admitted to Wichaiyuth Hospital.

Dr Narong Rodwanna told a press conference yesterday morning that Sornram, who suffered a nosebleed from the accident - had been deprived of sleep for a week and had taken a flu medicine prior to the accident. He said the actor was exhausted from lack of sleep but had no trace of alcohol in his body.

*If this is the case, sleep-deprivation and cold medicines and then driving are as lethal a combination as drunk driving and displays almost the same reckless disregard for the safety of others as if he had been hoisting whiskey drinks all night.*

Sornram's mother, Mayuree, told reporters that her son was exhausted and would later give testimony to police. He kept asking about the victim. "I'd like to apologise to the family of the dead woman on behalf of my son. No one wanted this to happen and my son insists he will assist the family of the dead woman," Mayuree said. The actor's father, Chumporn, went to Chokchai police station on his son's behalf while the actor was resting.

Chokchai Police yesterday filed initial charges against Sornram of reckless driving, causing death, property damage and fleeing the scene of an accident.

*which, at least tentatively, confirms some posters concerns.*

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Lt-General Adisorn Nonsi said he could not yet confirm if Sornram would also be charged with drunk driving. He said the case would be dealt with transparently.

Sornram's friend, actor Kanchai Kamnerdploy, said Sornram had suffered nosebleeds and blurred vision, but kept asking about the victim. "I'd like to offer my condolences to her family. Sornram is very upset by what happened. He said he was responsible and asked me to go to her funeral on his behalf," Kanchai said.

Pitploen's husband, Nares Wong-eium, 49, who picked up his wife's body at the Police General Hospital yesterday morning, said he was at the scene when the accident occurred.

After he saw his wife of ten years killed, he walked over to the car and found Sornram, who kept apologising, Nares said.

He said Sornram looked at Pitploen's body and said he was not drunk but had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Chumporn arrived at the scene later and told Nares his son would take full responsibility, he said.

"I don't want to press charges because I understand it was an accident," Nares said, adding that he would consult with Pitploen's three children, all in their 30s, about compensation.

He urged Sornram to apologise to Pitploen at her funeral himself.

Mayuree also met with Nares and paid respects to Pitploen before accompanying the family to Wat Kohsuwannaram, where the funeral will take place.

- The Nation

Edited June 22, 2007 by sriracha john

[Scott]

Thanks for the update. It doesn't matter if your driving a Benz or a bike--when you kill and hurt others there is enough pain and suffering to go around. This seemed to me to be a genuine accident--maybe preventable, but an accident none-the-less. It's rare that people actually hit others intentionally, it causes a major problem in their life.

As for "running away". In many, many situations the best thing to do is get as far away as possible. Have you ever seen what the vigalante crowd that gathers does to the suspected perpetrator? If her family or work group were around, they would have likely beat him death.

Last night, some very foolish (and lucky) guy made it across the road near where I live. I don't know if he was drunk, mentally ill or suicidal. He walked out into a major fast moving street at about 8:00--so traffic was moving and moving fast. He walked straight across the road without ever turning his head. The car in front of me stopped absolutely just in time and with cm's of the guy. I saw him and had slowed down, otherwise I would have hit that car, which would have then hit him. He never flinched and proceeded slowly.

The point is Sh*t happens and that more sh*t that is on the road the greater the chances of an accident.

[mr_hippo]

I believe that Sonram did simply fall asleep, he is completely over-worked – and that may not have all been his fault.

Who was driving the car? Did someone force him to drive?

[bendix]

It is a tragic story. I'm not sure how reports of him talking to the woman's husband and 'keep apologising' to him at the scene squares with the fact that he is being (initially) charged with fleeing the scene of an accident. It's also telling that the husband doesnt want to press charges.

Dr Narong's comments about 'reckless disregard' are shamefully inappropriate.

[sriracha john]

For clarity sake, any text in a post prefaced with a * and in red are not quotes from the article, but comments by the poster. I stand by the comment that given the situation described by Dr. Narong, Sornram's actions do show a reckless disregard that

BMW 525i

Gross weight 4,575 lbs.

Putting himself behind the wheel of this vehicle in such a self-induced state... is criminally reckless, with concurrence of that opinion from the law, the police, and the Bangkok Post.

ROAD ACCIDENT / RECKLESS DRIVING

Actor charged in lady's death

Actor Sornram Thepitak was charged with reckless driving causing death yesterday after he ran down a woman on a pavement on Wednesday. Metropolitan police chief Adisorn Nonsi said Chokchai police charged the actor with reckless driving causing death, damaging property and fleeing the scene of an accident. The actor's mother, Mrs Mayuri, vowed to take financial responsibility for the death of scrap collector Pitpern Takomad. She showed up at the Nitivej Forensic Institute at the City Police Hospital to offer a ritual apology to the 59-year-old woman killed by the car driven by her TV star son. The accident also caused damage to the car, roadside trees and a public phone booth.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/22Jun2007_news04.php

[Ijustwannateach]

If I fall asleep while holding a gun and it goes off and kills someone, I am no less responsible than if I have fallen asleep behind the wheel. It is still culpable. If this actor wishes to begin a lawsuit against his company for overworking him, that would be a separate matter- still looks like criminal charges would be appropriate.

[chinthee]

It is a tragic story. I'm not sure how reports of him talking to the woman's husband and 'keep apologising' to him at the scene squares with the fact that he is being (initially) charged with fleeing the scene of an accident. It's also telling that the husband doesnt want to press charges.

Dr Narong's comments about 'reckless disregard' are shamefully inappropriate.

Bendix, if you understand the Thai context, it's only "telling" that he doesn't want to press charges because he wishes to handle this in the traditional Thai way, that is to receive a cash payment. And, presumably because the perp is perceived as wealthy, that should be a more comforting sum than normal.

I'll reserve judgment, but he was charged by the police, but I agree innocent until proven guilty.

[Scott]

And soon we will find out just how much this lady's life was worth.

[bendix]

I understood that subtext chinthee. I'm aware the cultural issues at play.

I know I'm defending the guy too much. I'm doing it to quell the 'rush to hang' crowd.

[Mid]

And soon we will find out just how much this lady's life was worth.

file under ,

sad but true .

[Mid]

I know I'm defending the guy too much. I'm doing it to quell the 'rush to hang' crowd.

kaljai khup ,

does the fact that there's a cash value to be ascertained bring them out quicker , possibly with some legality ?

[steveromagnino]

He could easily have said he didn't fall asleep, and that he misjudged the turn or whatever and killed her; this would have been quite acceptable to many. Accidents happen. By his own admission, he is in considerable trouble now, but honesty, at least to me, is worth something. he also did do his military service way back when, unlike many others who paid their way out.

To me, his actions to date have already shown 'walking a higher path' than many others in the same position (Dome, Anita, etc) have done in the past.

From the Thai media it doesn't sound like he fled the scene, but stopped, understood the woman was dead, and then (probably in a state of shock) went to the hospital himself without waiting directly for police, but having shared information already. He got himself tested, and the cough medicine (and presumably being sick) was shared as well; he didn't hide until it was out of his system. He hasn't disputed much of the detail of what took place and has already virtually pleaded guilty to being responsible for the whole thing. I would hardly call this 'fleeing the scene'.

He doesn't have a reputation for drinking, and he lives right in this area, within a few hundred metres of the accident if I understand correctly. Who knows why he made this horrendous error of judgement, but it isn't like he was drunkenly driving to Pattaya (that we know of); he may, for all we know, have just gone to RS to pick up his script or another virtually must do errand for work/family. That of course doesn't make it right.

It is a terrible thing, and I hope he pays for what he has done in the correct manner, by supporting the affected family long term. I will wait to see whether criminal charges materialise, but the way he has handled it has been far more responsible than many others in this position in the past already.

As for suing the entertainment company, the life of an actor is short, so they must make hay while the sun shines. When the water comes in, quickly collect it. He takes the work, he makes the money, and with the money and the work come very long hours, leading to this tragedy for which he must now live with himself for the rest of his life. My guess is he will be charged and get a suspended sentence of some sort. As the family affected, financial and non-financial support right now for the loss of the wife is perhaps more important to them than seeing someone go to jail.

My thoughts are with the family with a lost one affected right now. Not ill thoughts of vengeance for someone I don't know well who happens to be a TV star based on supposition and rumour. To each their own.

Edited June 22, 2007 by steveromagnino

[sukanyacondo]

" believe that Sonram did simply fall asleep, he is completely over-worked – and that may not have all been his fault" He chose to drive for whatever reasons being overworked is not an excuse, you have to decide whether to drive or not.

[megashox]

I believe that Sonram did simply fall asleep, he is completely over-worked – and that may not have all been his fault.

let us hope that the likes of Channel 3 and RS Production learn a hard lesson from this and realize that the consequences of over-pushing their stars…can often be fatal.

Oh, its all right then - let the family of the victim sue those big bad corporations - Why even Sonram may be able to get some kind of compensation for his trauma!

[mr_hippo]

From the Thai media it doesn't sound like he fled the scene, but stopped, understood the woman was dead, and then (probably in a state of shock) went to the hospital himself without waiting directly for police, but having shared information already. He got himself tested, and the cough medicine (and presumably being sick) was shared as well; he didn't hide until it was out of his system. He hasn't disputed much of the detail of what took place and has already virtually pleaded guilty to being responsible for the whole thing. I would hardly call this 'fleeing the scene'.

He did not wait for the police at the scene of an accident therefore he fled the scene.

[meemiathai]

No one of you ever broke a law? Traffic offense? No? Never made a mistake?

[meemiathai]

From the Thai media it doesn't sound like he fled the scene, but stopped, understood the woman was dead, and then (probably in a state of shock) went to the hospital himself without waiting directly for police, but having shared information already. He got himself tested, and the cough medicine (and presumably being sick) was shared as well; he didn't hide until it was out of his system. He hasn't disputed much of the detail of what took place and has already virtually pleaded guilty to being responsible for the whole thing. I would hardly call this 'fleeing the scene'.

He did not wait for the police at the scene of an accident therefore he fled the scene.

He went to a hospital!

[bendix]

I can't help suspecting that had the offending driver been a glamorous Thai actress or model, members might be a bit more forgiving.

As it's a good-looking, successful and wealthy young Thai guy earning slightly more than an English teacher or Pattaya retiree surviving on his military pension, one suspects there is a certain amount of glee at the guy's predicament.

[A_Traveller]

He went to a hospital!

But I believe the law here is explicit, as it is elsewhere, if you are party to an accident you can only leave the scene with the permission of the police, if you do not get that permission then you are guilty of a criminal offence.

Regards

[meemiathai]

I am feeling a bit sick. Sick of being surrounded by stupid people. I do worry that judges are the same people.

Why give a shit if the person had actually be good for his whole life? We witness the few minutes of bad behaviour of this person in life. And that should be enough. I think he should be stoned to death!

[Mid]

He went to a hospital!

for a headache ......................

[meemiathai]

He went to a hospital!

But I believe the law here is explicit, as it is elsewhere, if you are party to an accident you can only leave the scene with the permission of the police, if you do not get that permission then you are guilty of a criminal offence.

Regards

I think you must be joking! Even if one has been injured?

[meemiathai]

I can't help suspecting that had the offending driver been a glamorous Thai actress or model, members might be a bit more forgiving.

As it's a good-looking, successful and wealthy young Thai guy earning slightly more than an English teacher or Pattaya retiree surviving on his military pension, one suspects there is a certain amount of glee at the guy's predicament.

A little different maybe. But I can say for sure if it was a young farang man, it is going to 180 degrees different!

[A_Traveller]

On the basis of reports both on TV last night and today, it appears that he decided after some 5 days of minimal sleep, and whilst taking cold medication to get in to his car and go to buy a video game {according to TV last night}.

In my view that was and is irresponsible.

It is to be hoped that he will face up to his responsibilities in this. I don't agree with the hang him viewpoints expressed herein, but he made a terrible judgement error, and tragically someone paid for it with their life. He has to live with that, not a position I envy.

Regards

/edit grammar//

Edited June 22, 2007 by A_Traveller

[A_Traveller]

He went to a hospital!

But I believe the law here is explicit, as it is elsewhere, if you are party to an accident you can only leave the scene with the permission of the police, if you do not get that permission then you are guilty of a criminal offence.

Regards

I think you must be joking! Even if one has been injured?

No joke, I don't see anything humourous in this. In fact, in most jurisdictions medical personnel must get authorisation from the police before moving an individual. In the real world that permission would be freely given however, that is the legal position. It is not uncommon for cases here to have the charge of leaving the scene of an accident added to the list. It is a real offence.

Regards

[meemiathai]

I don't know about law. But I think there are many reasons that one would feel the need to leave the scene before the police actually arrives. Who knows how long it takes for the police to actually be there?

[meemiathai]

On the basis of reports both on TV last night and today, it appears that he decided after some 5 days of minimal sleep, and whilst taking cold medication to get in to his car and go to buy a video game {according to TV last night}.

In my view that was and is irresponsible.

It is to be hoped that he will face up to his responsibilities in this. I don't agree with the hang him viewpoints expressed herein, but he made a terrible judgement error, and tragically someone paid for it with their life. He has to live with that, not a position I envy.

Regards

/edit grammar//

I don't disagree with you here at all.

[Mid]

Who knows how long it takes for the police to actually be there?

not as long as someone is dead for .........................

EOS , your above post accepted.

Edited June 22, 2007 by Mid

[chinthee]

Alright,

Forget the law. Forget the bickering. Where I come from I was taught to do this. If you hit someone with your car, you get out and try to help them. If they appear unconscious you try to revive. At the same time, you cause as much noise and try to attract help so that someone will call an ambulance and police. You keep your mouth shut about what happened, and wait for the police and call a lawyer.

Guess that doesn't work here huh??

[Mid]

Guess that doesn't work here huh??

certainly not in all cases ...........................