AYUTTHAYA - The speeding Mercedes-Benz driver who killed two post graduate students in Bang Pa-in district last year was sentenced to 30 months in jail and banned from driving for life on Wednesday - and then released on bail pending appeal.
The provincial court delivered judgement on Janepob Veeraporn, 37.
His Mercedes-Benz smashed into the rear of a Ford compact sedan carrying Thanthaphat Horsaengchai, 34, and Kritsana Thaworn, 32, who died when their car then exploded in flames on Phahon Yothin road in tambon Chiang Rak Noi on March 13, 2016.
The court found Janepob guilty of reckless driving causing death and speeding. The initial sentence of five years in prison was halved because he had confessed and paid compensation to the victims' families.
The court did not suspend the jail sentence, and cancelled his driving licence for life.
On a charge of drunk driving, the court gave him the benefit of the doubt because police did not prove when the blood test of Janepob was made.
His lawyer said that Janepob would appeal within 30 days. The court released him on bail of 200,000 baht.
Relatives of the victims said they were satisfied with the ruling because the prison term was not suspended. They thought this set a precedent for cases of reckless driving causing death.
The wrecked Ford car burns after the crash, with the two victims still inside. (File photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)