A car driven by temple abbot struck a motorcycle on Sunday, killing a woman and injuring her younger brother.

KHON KAEN: Pol Capt Natha Kijnongsuang, deputy chief investigator of Phon district, said the car driver was Phra Sen Sikayom, 74, the abbot of Wat Suwannaram, Ban Nong Khurong in tambon Lomkhom.

Phra Sen told police he drove from the temple on Sunday morning to Ban Nong Phai, a nearby village, for a religious function. On the way back in the afternoon, he stopped at the entry of a soi and waited to turn onto the main road. Thinking the road was clear, he drove onto the road where he collided with an oncoming motorcycle.

His car veered into a roadside ditch. The monk was not injured.

The impact killed Sarocha Hoithaisong, 23, the motorcycle pillion rider, and seriously injured her younger brother, Navapol, 19, the driver. Mr Navapol was rushed to Sirindhorn Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani.

Sarocha had just graduated with a bachelor's degree from Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Khon Kaen campus, while Navapol, who suffered a broken leg, is a student at Maha Sarakham University.

The monk was waiting for police at the scene, and he expressed his remorse. 

Pol Capt Natha said the abbot would be charged with reckless driving causing death and damage to property. An alcohol test showed the monk was not driving under the influence.