Tourist Hits Pattaya Street Sweeper, Attempts to Flee but is Captured by Bystanders

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A foreign driver struck a street cleaner with his SUV, leaving her critically injured, and attempted to flee the scene. Thanks to the swift action of bystanders , the driver was apprehended and handed over to authorities.

 

The accident occurred at 6:35 November 18, on South Pattaya Road near a gas station. Pol. Lt. Ittiporn Tangchuthaweesap, Deputy Inspector of Pattaya City Police Station, received a report of the collision and immediately dispatched rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation.

 

At the scene, rescuers found Ms. Suchada Pilasuk, 22, an employee of Noramon Supply contracted by the Pattaya municipality, lying in a pool of blood. She had been struck with such force that her body was thrown onto the pavement, suffering severe injuries. Emergency responders provided first aid and transported her to the hospital urgently.

 

Her cleaning equipment, including a broom and dustbin, lay scattered and broken on the road. Witnesses reported that the offending vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner SUV with Bangkok license plate, sped away after the collision. However bystanders, including Mr. Wattanakorn, 25, pursued the driver on motorcycles, intercepting the vehicle.

 

The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Mr. Choo Caballero, believed to be a Mexican national, was found to be heavily intoxicated. Concerned about potential mob justice, police quickly took him into custody and transported him to Pattaya City Police Station.

 

Ms. Suchada’s boyfriend, Mr. Apichai Prakobsaeng, 29, who was working with her, described the harrowing incident. “She was sweeping debris on the road when the SUV came speeding and hit her, throwing her body onto the ground. The driver didn’t even stop to check on her and fled immediately,” he said.

 

Mr. Wattanakorn recounted the chase. “I saw the SUV hit her directly, but instead of stopping, the driver accelerated. I followed him and called for others to help block the vehicle until authorities arrived.”

 

Police conducted a breathalyzer test on Mr. Caballero, which revealed an alcohol exceeding the legal limit. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the scene as evidence and have pledged to proceed with legal action.

 

Picture from responders

-- 2024-11-18

 

[Mason45]

I got hit last week going for my daily walk in Soi 16/2 Naklua. A car came speeding behind me, there was a tour bus coming the other way. Of course the car driver didn't slow down. I was fortunate as the mirror got me and I felt it give way. If it had have been the actual car that got me I would've been in real trouble as there was a concrete light pole one meter away. A guy who goes cycling every morning stopped and asked me if I was ok. He told me he's been knocked off his bike 4 times this year in the same area.

[Peterphuket]

Nasty that the driver tried to get away, and won't condone it, but we can hope as a foreigner not to be involved in a fatal accident in this country.

[Dave0206]

1 hour ago, Mason45 said:

I got hit last week going for my daily walk in Soi 16/2 Naklua. A car came speeding behind me, there was a tour bus coming the other way. Of course the car driver didn't slow down. I was fortunate as the mirror got me and I felt it give way. If it had have been the actual car that got me I would've been in real trouble as there was a concrete light pole one meter away. A guy who goes cycling every morning stopped and asked me if I was ok. He told me he's been knocked off his bike 4 times this year in the same area.

I'm not likely to be  on a bike but if I had been knocked off one 4 times in that area I'm pretty sure I would change routes even if it meant pushing for a km to restart cycling