The white Mitsubishi Outlander and motorcycles crowded by onlookers after the collisions.
Four motorists died on Jalan Sultan Iskandar Muda, South Jakarta, last night. A Mitsubishi Outlander driven by a 23-year-old, who police have identified only as Christopher, initially crashed into two motorcycles, and, in an attempt at a hit and run, crashed into more vehicles down the road.
Police said Christopher was driving from Simprug towards Arteri Pondok Indah, when he crashed into two motorcycles, killing the motorcyclists instantly.
Instead of stopping, Christopher sped away from the scene and then crashed into a Toyota Avanza, a pick up truck, and three more motorcycles.
Four people died and two were injured. One of the deceased was identified as a police officer, Aiptu Batang. The victims were taken to Fatmawati Hospital and Pondok Indah Hospital.
The police apprehended the Christopher, after he was beaten up by an angry mob.
“Right now the suspect is in the custody of the South Jakarta Police,” said Police Grand Commissioner Wahyu Hadiningrat, head of the South Jakarta Police, as quoted by Tempo today.
Christopher is scheduled to undergo an interrogation and drug test with the police as soon as he recovers from his wounds.
“His face is still bleeding and we’re still treating him,” Wahyu said.
The police also clarified that Christopher is Indonesian. Witnesses previously said that, in order to feign innocence to the angry mob, Christopher pretended he couldn’t speak Indonesian. Christopher’s driver Ahmad Ilham (who wasn’t driving the car at the time of the incident) was in on the lie and said Christopher was Korean.
Witnesses also said that, before the incident, Christopher and Ahmad had an argument in the car while it was moving. Christopher even choked Ahmad, who was driving at the time. Ahmad then refused to resume driving, at which point Christopher took over the wheels. Not long after, Christopher crashed his car into multiple vehicles.
