CHON BURI - Tichakorn Sawasdee, a young professional golfer, was killed and his mother injured when his Fortuner rear-ended a 10-wheel truck on a bridge in Muang district on Monday, just five kilometres from home.
The accident occurred on the flyover across Setthakit intersection in tambon Ban Suan of Muang district, said Pol Lt Natthapong Sutthapipattanakul, a deputy investigation chief at Muang police station.
It was reported around 1am on Monday.
Police and rescue workers who rushed to the scene found a badly damaged black Fortuner that had run into the back of a truck.
Tichakorn, 22, was dead in the driver’s seat and his mother Kamolphan, 49, was injured. They were trapped in the wreckage of their vehicle, Thai media reported on Tuesday.
The truck driver, Arthit Jaiman, 39, told police he felt his vehicle being hit from behind by another vehicle as he was crossing above the intersection. He stopped and got out to check, and saw that a Toyota Fortuner had rear-ended his truck.
Police took the driver to the police station for further questioning.
Relatives told police that Tichakorn and his mother were returning to their home in this eastern province after attending a popular talk show in Bangkok. The crash occurred just five kilometres from their house.
Tichakorn, known as “Pro Palm’’, was a rising golf player. His family run Ban Suan Palm golf course in Chon Buri.