26-Year-Old Driver Falls Asleep at the Wheel, Killing Street Cleaner

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A 26-year-old man driving a refrigerated delivery truck reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and fatally struck a municipal street cleaner in Saraburi province early on 24 April. The vehicle subsequently veered off the road, crashing into two electricity poles and causing some power-lines to collapse.

The incident occurred around kilometre marker 93 on the inbound parallel road to Saraburi city, near Hinkong Phibun Anusorn School in Huai Khamin Subdistrict, Nong Khae District. Pol. Lt. Col. Chanantorn Khamkhet, investigator at the Nong Khae Police Station (Hinkong Substation), was alerted to the accident via the 191 emergency centre.

Emergency services from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were dispatched to the scene, where they found a six-wheeled Isuzu truck from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya carrying chilled goods. The driver, Mr. Rungrueang, aged 26, had lost control of the vehicle, which then struck and fatally injured a 63-year-old street cleaner, Mrs. Sombat, who worked for Hinkong Subdistrict Municipality. 
 

Her body was found beneath the truck, having been dragged approximately 50 metres. Rescue workers and electricity authorities worked swiftly to retrieve the body and cut off power to the downed poles to prevent any electrical hazard.

Mr. Rungrueang told police that he was transporting refrigerated goods from Wang Noi District to Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He admitted to falling asleep while driving and was only jolted awake by the impact of the collision.

Ms. Siriporn, the victim’s niece, spoke through tears at the scene, saying her aunt had worked as a street cleaner and that the family was devastated by the tragic loss.

Police are continuing their investigation and took Mr. Rungrueang into custody for further questioning at the Hinkong Substation. Legal proceedings are expected to follow. The body of the deceased has been transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Nakhon Nayok for a post-mortem examination.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-04-25.