Man wins 6,000 baht lottery, allegedly drink-drives and crashes into shuttle pickup truck
A 34-year-old man in Trat, Thailand, allegedly rear-ended a shuttle pickup truck, also known as a “songthaew”, after celebrating a 6,000-baht (around S$230) lottery win with drinks.
A subsequent alcohol test returned a reading of 219mg%, while one passenger in the songthaew was injured.
Pickup crashes into songthaew waiting at red light
On Monday (2 Nov), police responding to the scene found a white pickup truck with extensive damage to its front at the Nong Samet traffic-light junction along the Trat-Laem Ngop road in Mueang Trat district.
Source: CH7
Its radiator had burst, and the engine was so badly damaged that the vehicle could no longer be driven.
The driver, identified as 34-year-old Pongthep (name transliterated from Thai), was not injured but appeared intoxicated and had difficulty communicating with officers.
Driver reportedly drank to celebrate lottery win
Preliminary enquiries found that Pongthep had been drinking at a bar in Trat city after winning 6,000-baht (around S$230) in the government lottery.
He was reportedly driving home when the crash happened.
Source: CH7
Police initially suspected that he may had been travelling at speed and possibly dozed off before his pickup slammed into the back of the shuttle pickup truck.
Songthaew driver says vehicle was stationary
The songthaew driver, 57-year-old Praneet (name transliterated from Thai), said he had picked up passengers from a local market and was travelling home when he stopped normally at the red light.
He said the pickup suddenly struck the rear of his vehicle with considerable force.
Praneet managed to keep the songthaew under control, but the collision left it unable to continue operating.
Source: CH7
He said he intended to pursue the matter legally and wanted the other driver to take responsibility for the repair costs.
A 51-year-old female passenger, Ms Panan, suffered an injury to her left shoulder.
Rescuers provided first aid before taking her to Phra Piyamaharaj Hospital for treatment.
Alcohol reading comes back at 219mg%
After the crash, police brought Pongthep to Mueang Trat Police Station for an alcohol test.
However, he initially refused to cooperate and reportedly insisted on driving himself.
Officers warned that they might have to handcuff him if he continued refusing their instructions.
After around five minutes of persuasion, he agreed to accompany them to the station. His alcohol reading subsequently came back at 219mg%.
Pongthep reportedly told officers that his pickup was covered by first-class insurance and said he was not worried about the accident.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area, gathering evidence and determining whether further legal action is warranted.
Also read: Driver sent to hospital after 2-car accident in Yishun, another driver assisting investigations
Driver sent to hospital after 2-car accident in Yishun, another driver assisting investigations
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Featured image adapted from CH7.
