Police Officer Dies in Crash While on Stakeout: Pathum Thani

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A high-ranking police officer, Pol. Lt. Col. Setthapong Songklod, passed away after his vehicle veered off course and collided with a house front and a utility pole while he was allegedly on a stakeout to apprehend a suspect.

 

The incident took place on November 14, when authorities were alerted to a crash on Soi See Chai Thong 2 in Bang Kadi, Mueang District, Pathum Thani. According to Pol. Capt. Achara Kateuang-ngan of the Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station, the officer’s vehicle, a white Toyota Wish registered in Pathum Thani, crashed into a house, knocked down a utility pole and damaged the water supply infrastructure in the area.

 

Emergency responders and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation arrived promptly to assist. Witnesses reported that the officer’s vehicle had started to smoke after the collision, prompting locals to swiftly help the unconscious driver out of the vehicle and use a fire extinguisher to prevent further risk. 

 

The officer, later identified as Pol. Lt. Col. Setthapong Songklod, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations at Pathum Thani City Police Station, was in critical condition and was immediately rushed to Krung Siam St. Carlos Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

 

Eyewitness accounts describe the moments leading up to the crash. Sayan, a 36 year old shop owner nearby, recounted that the vehicle had been parked in front of his store with its engine running for approximately 20 minutes. Suddenly, the car moved onto the sidewalk, narrowly missing a female pedestrian before accelerating further down the road and violently crashing into the house and a utility pole about 100 metres away from where it was parked.

 

Wanthanah, 58, the homeowner whose property was damaged in the crash, was inside her house at the time. She described hearing a loud crash, and upon rushing outside, she witnessed bystanders assisting the unconscious officer from his vehicle.

 

Sources close to the investigation revealed that Pol. Lt. Col. Setthapong had been actively pursuing a case involving thefts in the inner Pathum Thani area, where he was responsible for investigations. Reports indicate he was staking out a location near Bang Kadi where the suspect was believed to reside. Authorities believe the officer may have experienced a sudden medical episode, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

 

Pol. Capt. Achara confirmed that an official investigation is underway. The officer’s body has been transferred to the Ministry of Justice’s Institute of Forensic Science for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

 

Pictures from responders.

-- 2024-11-15

 

[ChrisY1]

Ghosts involved in this one....!

[Gottfrid]

Please! Somebody, inform the police about the importance to turn off the engine while at a stake-out.

[lordgrinz]

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Suddenly, the car moved onto the sidewalk, narrowly missing a female pedestrian before accelerating further down the road and violently crashing into the house and a utility pole about 100 metres away from where it was parked.

 

That's normal driving here, not a single thing in this article surprises me.