Cop who killed doctor on zebra crossing told of more charges

Cop who killed doctor on zebra crossing told of more charges

Parents mull civil lawsuit against junior officer

Two mourners view a photo of the late Dr Waralak Supawatjariyakul during her cremation  at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Two mourners view a photo of the late Dr Waralak Supawatjariyakul during her cremation at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

A junior policeman charged with running over and killing a doctor on a pedestrian crossing while riding his powerful motorbike has been formally informed of two additional traffic charges.

Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) spokesman Jirasant Kaewsaeng-ek said on Tuesday that Pol L/Cpl Norawich Buadok met interrogators at Phaya Thai police station on Monday night and was read the fresh charges - speeding in an 80kph zone and unsafe driving.

 

He was driving his Ducati at between 108 and 128 kph when it struck ophthalmologist Waraluck Supawatjariyakul on Jan 21.

 

The new charges raise the number of counts against him to  nine.

 

The other charges are:


 

  • Reckless driving causing death
  • Using a vehicle without a licence plate
  • Failing to keep his motorcycle in the left lane
  • Failing to give way to someone using a pedestrian crossing
  • Using a vehicle with unpaid annual registration tax
  • Using a vehicle that lacked required equipment
  • Not having third-party vehicle insurance

 

All are alleged to have occured on Jan 21 when the doctor was hit and killed by a speeding motorbike when she was using a pedestrian crossing on Phaya Thai Road.

 

Phaya Thai police station chief Pol Col Borwornphob Suthornraekha reiterated the determination of investigators to take the case to the limit, even though the accused was a fellow policeman, according to Thai Rath online.

 

He said the police case would be handed to public prosecutors, with a recommendation for indictment, on Feb 11.

 

Waraluck's parents, Dr Anirut and Ms Ratchanee, and their lawyer gave additional information to investigators at the police station on Tuesday.

 

Lawyer Nattapol Chinawong said his clients were considering a civil case against Pol L/Cpl Norawich as they had not been contacted by his family about financial compensation, according to Matichon online.


Dr Anirut, who is also an ophthalmologist, said he had confidence police would be fair to the family in their handling of the case. 

 

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