Police have charged the driver of a Mercedes-Benz involved in a horrific high-speed crash on Sunday that killed two senior university students with reckless driving causing death.
The shocking crash was filmed by the dash-cam of another car and it is circulating on the web, drawing widespread outrage and demands to know why the driver, who survived with only a leg injury, was not tested by police for alcohol. Questions are also being asked about why police were so slow to talk to him and lay charges.
Pol Lt Col Somsak Ponpankarng, deputy chief investigator at Phra-in Racha filed the charge of reckless driving causing death against Jenpob Weeraporn, 37, who is being treated at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, after questioning him for the first time.
After the three-hour session, Pol Lt Col Somsak said Mr Jenpob admitted to the charge.
Mr Jenpob's father, Jetsada Weeraporn, told police he had attended the first day of funeral rites for the two victims and offered heartfelt apologies to their families. He said he would take care of paying compensation to the two families.
Prior to Mr Jenpob’s alleged confession, Mr Jetsada claimed his son had had several vehicle accidents in the past. Mr Jenpob sustained a knee injury and doctors were checking to see whether he might have suffered brain damage because he could not remember Sunday’s accident, he said.
Mr Jenpob owns a company that imports luxury cars, and his name appears as a director of several companies.
Pol Lt Col Somsak defended himself against the criticism. He said he went to the hospital on the day of the crash, but was unable to question Mr Jenpob because he was in an intensive care unit.
He said police did not conduct an acohol test on Mr Jenpob soon after the accident because he was injured, and he had the right to refuse. However, police at the scene could not “smell” alcohol on him after the accident.
Pol Lt Col Somsak said the video from the witness's dash-cam was strong evidence against Mr Jenpob.
The footage showed Mr Jenpob’s black Mercedes came from behind at a very high speed and rear-ended a Ford carrying Kritsana Thaworn, 32, and Thantapat Horsangchai, 34, on the far left lane of Phahon Yothin Road, near kilometre 53, in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district.
Debris from both cars can be seen flying in the air from the force of the collision. The Ford, which was fitted with an LPG tank, reportedly flipped over several times and then burst into flames.
The charred remains of the Ford after it was rear-ended by Mr Jenpob's car and burst into flames, killing Kritsana Thaworn, 32, and Thantapat Horsangchai, 34. (Photo by Soonthorn Pongpao)