A 72-year-old Thai woman rammed her Mercedes into the back of a broken-down pickup truck on Bangkok’s Sirat expressway yesterday morning, knocking the two men standing in front of the vehicle from the edge of the overpass and to their deaths on the sidewalk below.
The driver in question, Surang Supornsook, told investigators she had suddenly experienced “flashes” while driving, causing the vehicle to lose control and ram into the Mitsubishi truck, which was parked in the emergency lane near the Phong Pget Exit, reported Khaosod.
The two men, 22-year-old Krit Waraglang and 32-year-old Wutthichai Suracha, had been attempting to repair the vehicle when it was struck.
Surang — who reportedly claimed to be suffering from chest pains after the crash — assured police that she was not illegally driving in the emergency lane before the alleged flashes.
Wuttichai’s heartbroken fiancé, Panunat Kamakklang, who was sitting inside the truck at the time of the incident, told reporters that the car’s radiator appeared to have run dry, so they decided to park in the emergency lane.
She said the two men were only outside for about 10 minutes before tragedy struck.
Panunat was sent to Phra Nang Klao Hospital after telling police she was also experiencing minor chest pains.
She added that she felt lost since she and Wutthichai had planned on marrying next year.
Police will check CCTV footage from the area. Meanwhile, Surang has been charged for reckless driving causing death.
The crash and resultant deaths are a harsh reminder of just how frequently Thai drivers will venture into the emergency lane to avoid traffic. Back in September, a 68-year-old woman plunged to her death in similar fashion when her car, which had broken down, was struck from behind by another vehicle.
Only Friday, it was revealed that Thailand once again topped the World Health Organization’s list of the world’s deadliest roads.
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