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

 

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.

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.

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 

I walk a lot in Pattaya.  And there are places where you have to act like a WWI fighter pilot in a biplane with your head on a swivel to avoid getting maimed.  It always amazes me the morons who walk down Soi Buakao side by side 3 deep with their backs to traffic. 

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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

He's going to be sorry for his actions for many years to come

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

---------------------------------------------------------------

Mob Justice.

That's what that scumbag deserve.

Nearly killing an innocent worker and drove away in cold heart.

Very sad for the young woman. The intoxicated driver should serve a long prison sentence during which he will find out what fellow Thai prisoners will do to someone who has wantonly injured one of their compatriots.

Very Sad. Glad they got the runner. I saw 3 accidents on Friday. The airport bus ran over a motorbike on Threppasit Rd. Guy was still stuck under the bus. Two on Pratumnak hill with cars hitting motorbikes. Both looked very bad. I really have no clue who was in the wrong. I know it was Loy Krathong and a full moon, but I don’t think I ever saw 3 in one drive. It’s just getting worse every day, especially the holidays when Pattaya gets packed with all of the tourists coming from Bangkok and other cities. They don’t know where they are going and don’t pay attention to the roads. Plus all of the tourists from overseas that cross the road wherever they want. Pattaya wants these people but don’t have the infrastructure or the police to help. I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse. 

They should have given him mob justice first..

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Very sad for the young woman. The intoxicated driver should serve a long prison sentence during which he will find out what fellow Thai prisoners will do to someone who has wantonly injured one of their compatriots.

 

Hopefully, beating by the warden, too.

Poor woman, still young, didn't have much in the way of prospects, and may have suffered life changing injuries. A drunk driver strikes again. 

21 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Poor woman, still young, didn't have much in the way of prospects, and may have suffered life changing injuries. A drunk driver strikes again. 

 

I remember a few years ago a woman who I saw every morning pushing an ooliang cart around got hit and killed by a drunk driver on Second Road.

Another POS who does a runner after nearly killing someone. What sort of person leaves a young woman to die in the road?

20 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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

 

I'd left him to the mob

29 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

Another POS who does a runner after nearly killing someone. What sort of person leaves a young woman to die in the road?

 

Mexicans and Toyota Fortuner drivers?

1 hour ago, pattayasan said:

 

I remember a few years ago a woman who I saw every morning pushing an ooliang cart around got hit and killed by a drunk driver on Second Road.

Yes, it is sad for the victim isn't it. 

18 hours ago, jcmj said:

Pattaya wants these people but don’t have the infrastructure or the police to help.

Got it in a nutshell.  Police should make a difference but they do nothing until AFTER an incident.

This is edited CCTV of the incident, courtesy of Thai PBS.

 

Drunk drivers.  One of my few real hates!!   A cousin and his son was killed by a drunk driver!!  

Glad they got him.

He needs jail time for that.

Hope she recovers from this .

21 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

Another POS who does a runner after nearly killing someone. What sort of person leaves a young woman to die in the road?

 

In Mexico, drivers often flee the scene if they hit a pedestrian because mob justice is common in such cases, especially in the countryside.  Maybe the driver was simply behaving as he would in his home country.