Public prosecutors on Monday postponed for the fifth time the indictment of Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, whose Ferrari hit and killed a police officer on a motorcycle last year, explaining that the suspect was unwell and the investigation incomplete.
Vorayuth Yoovidhya (Bangkok Post file photo)
Ruecha Krairiksh, lead prosecutor in the case, said the indictment was postponed repeatedly because the suspect had appealed to Attorney-General Chulasingh Vasantasingh against a speeding charge, asking for more time to question four more eyewitnesses and two more accident reconstruction experts to ensure fairness.
Mr Chulasingh agreed to Mr Vorayuth’s request. However, Thong Lor police had yet to submit any additional information regarding the suspect's petition to prosecutors, Mr Ruecha said.
Mr Vorayuth's lawyers also lodged a request with prosecutors asking for an adjournment of his client’s indictment to Sept 2 at 10am, saying he was sick. He submitted Mr Vorayuth’s medical certificate along with his request.
The statute of limitations for the speeding charge against Mr Vorayuth expires on Sept 3.
Mr Vorayuth, grandson of Red Bull energy drink founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, was driving the Ferrari which reportedly hit Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert's motorcycle on Sukhumvit Soi 47 at high speed in the early hours of Sept 3 last year.
The policeman's body was dragged about 200 metres along the road.
Mr Vorayuth allegedly fled the scene and was arrested several hours later at his home on Sukhumvit Soi 53.
Forensic police inspect Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert's motorcycle and a Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya, and recreate the collision. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)
Nongnoot Saengpraphan mourns the death of her husband, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert, at That Thong temple. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)