Drowsy Driver Crashes Pickup into Lorry, Nephew Killed

Picture from responders.

A crash occurred in Takli district, Nakhon Sawan, when a drowsy driver lost control of his Toyota pickup truck, crashing into the back of an 18-wheel lorry. The impact left the vehicle severely damaged, injuring two people and killing the driver’s nephew, who suffered a broken neck.

At 02:40 on 7 March, officers from Takli Police Station received a report of a serious collision on Highway 11, between kilometre markers 13 and 14, in Phrom Nimit subdistrict. Police and emergency responders from the Ruam Katanyu Takli Rescue Foundation rushed to the scene.

The front end of the pickup truck was completely destroyed, with various tools and equipment scattered in the truck bed. Inside, three passengers were found:

• The driver, a man who suffered a head injury

• A female passenger, trapped in the front seat with leg and forehead injuries, requiring hydraulic rescue equipment to extract her

• The driver’s nephew, seated in the back, who was found dead with a broken neck

Paisit Kabthong, known locally as “Kamnan Vee”, a village headman and rescue volunteer, interviewed the driver, who was conscious but injured. The man explained that he and his companions were snooker table installers, returning home to Sing Buri province after completing a job in Tak Fa district.

He admitted to feeling drowsy while driving and suddenly blacking out. By the time he regained awareness, it was too late to avoid the crash.

The driver of the 18-wheel lorry, which sustained only minor damage, reported that he had parked by the roadside for about an hour. He was transporting ore from Uttaradit to Ayutthaya’s Nakhon Luang district when he heard a loud crash from the back of his truck. Upon investigation, he discovered the wrecked pickup and immediately alerted emergency services.

Police are continuing their investigation into the fatal crash, with an emphasis on driver fatigue.

-- 2025-03-08