EV Collision Kills Bank Employee in Samut Songhram

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture from responders.

 

A bank employee driving an electric vehicle (EV) was tragically killed in a late-night accident after falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into the rear of an 18-wheeler truck. The accident occurred on Rama 2 Road, heading south, near an NGV gas station at kilometre marker 59+500 in Bang Kaew, Mueang district, Samut Songkhram.

 

At approximately 23:30 on September 23, Pol. Lt. Col. Chetha Onsut, an investigator from Samut Songkhram Police Station, received a report of a fatal rear-end collision. Rescue teams from the Sawang Benjatham Foundation quickly arrived at the scene alongside the police.

 

Upon their arrival, they discovered the body of Mr. Sarut (surname withheld), aged 40, a bank employee from Samut Sakhon. He was found dead in the driver's seat of his white BYD Dolphin EV, with severe injuries to his head, chest and legs. Rescue workers used hydraulic equipment to extricate his body from the heavily damaged vehicle. Responders reported there was no fire and had no problems with the vehicle’s batteries.

 

 

Nearby, officials found the 18-wheeler involved in the collision, a white Isuzu truck registered in Ratchaburi, with its trailer also bearing Ratchaburi. The rear of the truck was damaged. The driver, Mr. Jakkrit (surname withheld), 30, from Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, was present and waiting to provide a statement to the police.

 

Mr. Jakkrit recounted that he had been transporting wood boards from Lopburi to Krabi. At the time of the accident, he had parked his truck in the left lane with hazard lights on, as he had briefly stepped out to sign paperwork at a nearby document kiosk. His girlfriend, who had exited the vehicle to use the restroom, was in the process of climbing back into the truck when the EV, traveling at high speed, collided with the rear of the trailer without any signs of braking. The impact threw his girlfriend into the truck's console, causing minor injuries, while belongings in the truck's cab were scattered by the force of the crash.

 

Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased, after finishing his late shift at the bank, may have been fatigued, causing him to fall asleep at the wheel. This led to his vehicle veering out of control and crashing into the 18-wheeler. Authorities have sent the body to Somdet Phra Buddhaleelat Hospital for an autopsy, with further examination to be conducted at the forensic department of Ratchaburi Hospital.

 

Police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident, and legal proceedings will follow accordingly.

 

-- 2024-09-24