Drunk driver called to foot bill for damage to shop

UBON RATCHATHANI: A drunk driver who rammed his pickup truck into a roadside shop in Don Mot Daeng district on Saturday, injuring 3 and sending Songran celebrants fleeing for their lives, has been asked to meet the shop owner to discuss damages on Thursday.

Charges will be pressed against him, said the district police chief.

A clip showing the pickup truck ramming into Phuwadet steel shop on Ban Khamhai Yai-Tha Sila Road in Don Mot Daeng district on April 13, Songkran Day, and forcing many people to flee in panic was posted online.

The driver, identified later as Chaiwat Detchakhamphu, 32, of tambon Laodaeng in Don Mot Daeng district, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol when police arrived at the crash scene. The man was taken for alcohol testing, which showed he had a blood alcohol level of 207 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dl), Pol Col Veeraphan Naksuk, chief of Don Mot Daeng police station, said on Tuesday.




A police investigation showed that Mr Chaiwat was driving his pickup truck to see friends in Lao Sue Kok district when he lost control of his vehicle at a bend in the road, causing it to ram into the steel shop. Three people sustained injuries, said the district police chief.

Officers impounded his pickup truck but were yet to press charges against the man as they were waiting for official results of the alcohol blood test and medical check-ups of the injured bystanders, said Pol Col Veeraphan.

The driver was called to hold talks with the shop owner on April 18 about damage caused to the shop, said the police chief. Charges would later be pressed against the man as it involved drink-driving, he added.

Prawit Piewkham, 39, owner of the shop, told the Bangkok Post that there were 11 people inside the shop at the time. Some were throwing water in front of the shop during Songkran celebrations. Suddenly, a loud engine noise was heard and the black pickup truck rammed into the shop, forcing the people inside to jump out of the way. Three people, including a child, were injured, said Mr Prawit.

Most were still traumatised by the crash, he said.
-BANGKOK POST