Boy, 15, drives BMW through red light, kills new grad

NAKHON RATCHASIMA/NAKHON SAWAN: Allegedly reckless driving by a 15-year-old boy has put an end to the life of a newly-graduated student engineer.

Thanaphol Kaewmoon, 24, was riding a motorcycle from his office in Suranaree University of Technology in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima back to his room on Friday when the accident happened. He was hit by a BMW sedan, driven by the boy, that ran a red light at an intersection outside the campus at 10pm.

Thanaphol died instantly at the scene due to the massive impact of the crash.

Rangsan Wongsawan, who taught him at the faculty of telecommunication engineering, said on Sunday his student worked part-time at the university hospital while he prepared to pursue his master's degree.

The student had graduated with honours, his teacher added.

The name of the young driver of the BMW was withheld as he was underage.

Pol Lt Col Paisarn Panrew, the chief interrogator at Pho Klang police station responsible for the case, said on Sunday the boy would be charged with careless driving leading to death, running a red light and driving without a licence.

The driver was speeding and had not stopped at a.red light when his BMW collided with the motorbike driven by Thanaphol, the officer said.

The driver stayed at the scene, waiting for police to arrive.

Rak Kaewmoon, the father of the victim, said at his house in Nakhon Sawan's Tha Tako district that he was stunned and speechless when Nakhon Ratchasima police showed him the CCTV footage of the crash. 

Mr Rak said he would pursue legal action to the limit after watching the horrifying clips.

The body of Thanaphol was sent to his birthplace in Tha Tako for chanting and cremation at Wat Don Kha.