Elderly Woman Killed in Crash After Colliding with Parked Pickup Truck

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

An elderly woman lost her life after her car collided with the rear of a parked pickup truck on the Western Ring Road (Route 9) in Sam Khok district, Pathum Thani, on the afternoon of January 5.

 

At approximately 12:20, police were alerted to the crash at kilometre marker 69 in Moo 6, Klong Khwai subdistrict, opposite the Lotus Sam Khok warehouse. Lt. Suk San Cha-on, Deputy Traffic Inspector of Sam Khok Police Station, arrived at the scene alongside emergency responders and rescue volunteers.

 

The collision occurred in the leftmost lane of the road heading toward Bang Pa-in. A grey Honda car was found with its front severely damaged and the windshield shattered. Two vehicle license plates, broken glass, and parts of a pickup truck’s rear lights were scattered on the road. Inside the driver’s seat of the Honda, rescuers discovered the lifeless body of Mrs. Sombat, aged 69.

 

Approximately 30 metres ahead, a white Toyota pickup truck, still running, was parked. The truck, loaded with a handlift and an oxygen tank, showed damage to its rear. The driver, Mr. Teerapong, aged 36, stated that he and his younger brother were en route from Lat Lum Kaeo district, Pathum Thani, to Ayutthaya for work.

 

“We pulled over to the left shoulder to grab some lunch,” Mr. Teerapong explained. “The engine was still running when, out of nowhere, the Honda crashed into the back of my truck with great force. My brother and I rushed to check the driver, but sadly, she had already passed away. We immediately called the police and emergency services.”

 

Relatives of the deceased arrived at the scene shortly after being informed of the accident. Mrs. Rabieb, aged 68, the victim’s younger sister, tearfully recounted that her sister had visited her home earlier that day but did not find her there. “I was out shopping when she arrived, but when I returned, I found that she had left a meal for me. I later messaged her to thank her, unaware it would be the last time. Not long after, my nephew called to tell me she had been in an accident.”

 

Mrs. Sommit, an 18-year-old grandson of the victim, added that his grandmother had informed the family that morning she was going to visit her sister. “I thought she’d stopped at the market on her way back. Then the police called to say she’d been in a crash.”

 

Preliminary investigations suggest the deceased may have fallen asleep at the wheel or suffered a medical episode while driving. Relatives disclosed that she had a history of diabetes. Police have called for forensic experts to examine the scene and the body. They will review nearby CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the crash.

 

The body will be sent to the Ministry of Justice’s Forensic Science Institute for further examination before being released to the family. The investigation is ongoing.

 

-- 2025-01-06

 

 

[smedly]

this seems to happen on a regular basis, I suspect the cause is due to phone use which I've seen often on Thai roads

[mancub]

There's a generation  of  elderly drivers on the roads (cars and bikes), who are less aware and drive like 20 years ago...often oblivious to their surroundings !😁

[black tabby12345]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

this seems to happen on a regular basis, I suspect the cause is due to phone use which I've seen often on Thai roads

 

Normally, it is pretty hard to imagine to hit a parked vehicle.

Unless the driver's ability is badly impaired.

If it happened as the result of phone call as she drove, 100% self-inflicted.

Doesn't even deserve any sympathy.

Just like short cutting own life spontaneously.

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

“We pulled over to the left shoulder to grab some lunch,” Mr. Teerapong explained.

Not the wisest thing to do

[The Old Bull]

No mention of seat belts ?

[SiSePuede419]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Not the wisest thing to do

There's a small road with blind curves that locals love to park--on the road--on the blind curves--there is no shoulder!

Saturday morning someone parked on the blind curves, I hit the brake to slow

Then I see a GIANT cement mixer barreling down my side of the road around the blind curve at approx 30km/hour.  I IMMEDIATELY hit the brake and let the cement mixer through.

 

2-3 seconds earlier?

 

I wouldn't be writing this now. 

 

I'd be dead.

 

I REFUSE TO DRIVE DOWN THAT <deleted> ROAD FULL OF STUPID <deleted> PEOPLE EVER AGAIN 

 

I drive only on the big 6 lane road from now on.

 

<deleted> you lazy Thai buffalo drivers. 👋

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, The Old Bull said:

No mention of seat belts ?

 

.... because they are simply not thought of here...   the lack of mention of seat-belts perhaps highlights the underlying attitudes towards safety.... its the same when someone dies in a motorcycle accident, the most important facet contributing towards the fatality is likely the absence of a helmet, but its never mentioned. 

 

 

The propensity for hitting stationary objects here is quite astonishing...   drifting off to sleep seems like a viable explanation - I wonder if not wearing a seat-belt was the cause of her death. 

 

I also wonder how far off the road the pickup was parked, or was it left half sticking out into the road ?

[JeffersLos]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

aged 68

 

Too old to drive. Shouldn't be allowed on the road. 

[BangkokReady]

On 1/6/2025 at 1:56 PM, hotchilli said:

Not the wisest thing to do

 

Agreed.  I'm not sure why the left hand lanes of busy roads are allowed to be used as carparks in Thailand.  it seems like the kind of place that should be free from vehicles so that people aren't constantly forced to pull into the middle lane.  This practice must specifically contribute to multiple collisions per day.