RATCHABURI: A young woman was killed and four other people injured after their pick-up truck came under gunfire by two men on a motorcycle and then crashed in Ban Pong district of this lower Central province early on Sunday, police said.
Pol Maj Yuthana Phukaokaew, a Ban Pong police duty officer, said the incident occurred at about 1.40am on Saeng Chuto road in Ban Pong Municipality.
A police investigation revealed that the attack occurred as the four-door Isuzu pick-up truck with five people on board was approaching an intersection, followed closely from behind by two men on a motorcycle. The pillion rider of the motorcycle then fired three shots at the pick-up. One of the shots hit Pathompong Wichitdecha, 24, the pick-up driver, in the chest. Despite being wounded, Mr Pathompong was able to speed away from the attackers. Mr Pathompong then lost consciousness and rammed the pick-up into a roadside lamp post In front of Ban Pong Hospital.
Chawalya Wichitdecha, 19, Mr Pathompong's sister, suffered a broken neck and died. Three other passengers - Chotipat Chongcharoen, 29, Areerat Kankhaeng, 23, and Charerd Wichiansalang, 24 - were also injured in the violent impact. They were admitted to Ban Pong Hospital.
Police learned that the five were returning into Ban Pong town after visiting a pub, where they got into a quarrel with a group of old rivals. It was initially believed the attackers might be from that group.
Police investigators were questioning witnesses and examining security camera footage to gather evidence for legal action.