Accident Elderly Driver 87, Runs Over Elderly Couple on Motorbike in Chonburi, Two Dead

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 87-year-old man has turned himself in after hitting an elderly couple on a motorbike in Chonburi and fatally running over them, resulting in the death of both victims, one at the scene and the other in hospital.

 

The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 on 9 May, on Sukprayoon Road, inbound towards Phanat Nikhom, in front of Wat Nong Chae Waen, in the Mabpong subdistrict of Phan Thong district. Pol. Lt. Col. Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator at Phan Thong Police Station, responded to the emergency call.

 

At the scene, rescue workers found the body of Mr Sommai Ritngam, 70, who had been wearing a helmet, but suffered a fatal head injury after being run over. His skull was crushed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Nearby lay a blue Honda Wave motorbike, registration number from Chonburi, with household goods including detergent, food, and fried bananas scattered across the road. The pickup truck driver had already left the scene.

 

Ms Thongrak, 72, the pillion passenger, was found severely injured with abrasions all over her body. Rescue teams provided emergency first aid and rushed her to Phan Thong Hospital. Despite ongoing resuscitation efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries.

 

Later, Mr Thawin Thongnuch, the 87-year-old driver of a Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, registration from Chonburi, surrendered himself to police. The front of his vehicle had visible dents. Mr Thawin explained that he had been driving to Phanat Nikhom when the motorbike, which was on the left, turned suddenly in front of him, resulting in a collision.

 

“I didn’t think they had died,” he told police. “I thought I saw the man still standing afterwards, so I drove on to find my daughter and collect myself before turning myself in.”

 

He claimed he had no intention of fleeing and had simply returned home to regain his composure. “I didn’t even have my mobile phone, it was at home, so I couldn’t call my daughter straight away,” he added.

 

Mr Thawin expressed deep remorse and offered his apologies to the victims’ family, stating that he was willing to accept full responsibility.

 

Police have launched a formal investigation and are preparing to press charges in accordance with the law.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-10.