KHON KAEN - A motorist hunted and arrested for a fatal, high speed hit-and-run of two bicyclists, one an infant, in Khon Kaen has admitted he was high on methamphetamine when the accident occurred.
Apichart Saengkarn, 26, of Khon Kaen, was apprehended at a bus terminal in Chumphon province late Thursday night and was taken to a media briefing in Khon Kaen on Friday.
He was wanted on an arrest warrant issued on April 29 by Khon Kaen provincial court for reckless driving causing death, injury and property damage, and for failing to stop to help the victims.
Pol Col Noppadol Phetsuk, chief of Khon Kaen police, said Mr Apichart was the driver of a Toyota car that crashed through two bicycles behind ridden along a road in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen on April 28.
Two people were killed. They included a two-year-old girl riding with her 56-year-old grandmother, who was seriously injured. The other fatality was the rider of the other cycle. The hit-and-run accident was captured on CCTV.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted he had taken methampetamine before going out and borrowing the car from his friend in Bueng Nong Khot area.
While driving the car, he had drunk beer. He was travelling around 140kph when the vehicle hit the two bicycles from behind. After the accident, he fled to a friend’s house and then to Chumphon, where he was later caught.
Police said the suspect tested positive for drug use and was also charged with speeding, drink driving and taking illicit drugs. He now faces five counts in all over the accident.
Angry relatives of the victims reportedly tried to assault the suspect while he was being escorted to a police car. Police took him away.