Speeding Fruit Truck Crashes into Power Poles, Killing Driver in Late-Night Wreck

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A high-speed race between two modified pickup trucks ended in a death in the early hours of the morning of 4 July, when one driver lost control on a curve and slammed into high-voltage power poles, killing the driver on impact and leaving a trail of destruction.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 00:30. The crash occurred on the inbound lane of Sukhumvit Road in Moo 2, Khlong Narai subdistrict, Mueang district, Chanthaburi province.

Investigators from Mueang Chanthaburi Police Station, along with doctors and electricity authority officials, arrived to find a white Toyota Revo pickup truck modified with a cage for transporting fruit lying overturned in tall grass beside the road. The vehicle was completely wrecked.

Skid marks and debris showed the driver had lost control on an uphill curve before veering off the road and crashing violently into the base of a 12-metre-high transmission pole, snapping it completely and damaging another nearby pole. Officials had to ensure the area was safe from any electrical hazards before continuing the investigation.

The body of the driver, identified as Mr. Chaowalit Thongsri 62, was discovered approximately 15 metres from the wreckage. He had been ejected from the vehicle with severe injuries, including massive trauma to the head and face. Inside his shoulder bag, police found two bundles of cash totalling around 200,000 baht and a mobile phone. His identity was confirmed by an ID card found among his belongings.

A witness who had been driving behind the crashed vehicle told police that moments before the crash, he saw the fruit-laden truck racing with another pickup truck of unknown licence plate. “They overtook me at high speed, clearly chasing each other,” the witness said. “Just a few minutes later, I saw the aftermath of the accident.”

Authorities believe the truck was travelling at excessive speed when it lost control while negotiating the incline. Further investigation is underway to determine if the other vehicle was directly involved in the incident or if it can be traced and held accountable for reckless driving.

Police are currently gathering additional witness statements and forensic evidence from the scene as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-05