The Appeal Court yesterday upheld a two-year prison sentence imposed on a drink-driver who slammed her car into a group of cyclists, killing three and injuring two in May 2015. The court also ordered her to pay more compensation to the victims and their families.
The Chiang Mai provincial court yesterday handed down its ruling against Phatchuda Jairuean, 24, who was previously convicted of driving under the influence leading to death, under Section 291 of the Land Transport Act.
The sentence, handed down by the Civil Court on May 31 last year, was originally a four-year term but was commuted two years due to her confession.
On May 3, 2015, Phatchuda, who later told police she had too much to drink the previous night, crashed her car into a group of cyclists travelling on the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai road, killing Phongthep Khamkaeo, Saman Kantha and Chairat Yonglan and injuring two other cyclists. Her blood alcohol level was also found to be higher than the legal drink-drive limit.
The court also ordered her to pay 2.33 million baht to the family of Saman, up from 1.72 million baht; and 1.18 million baht to the parents of Phongthep, up from 435,433 baht. Chairat's family had already received 1.2 million baht from an insurance firm.
Phongthep's father, Kaeo Khamkaeo said he respected the court's decision, but thought the two-year sentence was not long enough. Phatchuda was granted bail yesterday to appeal.