Three motorcycle racers have been arrested and two others are being sought for their involvement in a crash that killed an innocent motorcyclist in Lat Phrao district of Bangkok.
The trio, aged 16-18, were caught shortly after the fatal crash that occurred in front of a petrol station on Prasert Manukit Road at around 12.20am on Thursday, said Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy chief of the Tourist Police Bureau.
One of the three arrested suspects was hurt in the incident, and arrest warrants are outstanding for the two racers still being sought.
A police investigation found that the five teens were racing on Prasert Manukit Road and heading toward the Kasetsart University intersection at the time of the incident.
Closed-circuit television camera footage showed the first motorcycle, ridden by a 17-year-old suspect, overtaking the victim’s bike in the left lane of the road at kilometre marker 95. Then the second bike, ridden by a 16-year-old suspect, followed and overtook the victim’s motorcycle on the right side. Suddenly, the third bike, ridden by an 18-year-old suspect, rammed into the back of the victim’s motorcycle, causing the latter to fall onto the road. He died at the scene. The 18-year-old racer on the third bike was also badly hurt.
Police have charged the three teens in custody with reckless driving causing death. They also face charges of failing to wear crash helmets and illegal racing.
Authorities lately have been stepping up their crackdowns on street racing and related activities, including illegal modification of motorcycles and parts.
Seven shop owners were arrested recently and 20 sets of substandard exhaust systems were seized during raids at 38 locations in Nonthaburi, Pol Maj Gen Surachate said during a media briefing on Saturday.