Mercedes-Benz driver involved in fatal crash joins monkhood

The Mercedes-Benz driver involved in the fatal crash in Ayutthaya in which two people were killed in March has become a monk.

Jenphop Weeraporn, 37, was reportedly ordained as a Buddhist monk at a Bangkok temple on Sunday to make merit for the victims for 15 days.

In March, Phra Jenphop, owner of a luxury car dealership, was reportedly driving at an estimated speed of over 200 kph when he crashed his Mercedes into another vehicle, killing two students, Kritsana Thaworn, 32, and Thanthapat Horsaeng, 34.

Chareon Kaewyodla, his uncle, said Phra Jenphop was saddened by the accident, so he decided to enter the monkhood as an apology for what happened, Manager reported.

Phra Jenphop reported himself to Ayutthaya Provincial Court over the deadly crash yesterday.

He is currently out on bail with the condition he reports to the court every seven days.

The suspect has the right to enter the monkhood while in official custody, Kritsada Rojjanasuwan, a prosecutor at the court, said, adding this would not affect the case.

The eight charges against Phra Jenphop are: reckless driving resulting in death and property damage; driving while impaired; driving under the influence of substances resulting in death; unsafe driving with disregard for others and speeding

The other three charges are: driving while under the influence of a psychotropic substance resulting in death; resisting a police alcohol test; and failing to obey a legal police order without justification.

Meanwhile, a prosecutor has ordered police to question two doctors at the hospital where the accused received treatment following the crash in response to a request from the suspect’s lawyer, Kritsada said.

He said the lawyer believes the doctors’ statements would help the suspect, reported Bangkok Post.

Related:

Mercedes driver faces 8 charges over fatal crash

Victims’ families seek premeditated murder charge for Mercedes driver over fatal crash