There is great suspicion surrounding a "middle-aged man" who was hit by a drunk pickup truck crossing lanes, causing the death of his girlfriend riding with him, yet he has been charged with contributory negligence. The police have now provided further explanation.
On 18 June 2026, reporters reported that Mr. Somchai Naktrakul, 57, along with his daughter from Village No. 2, Takro Subdistrict, Phaisali District, Nakhon Sawan Province, brought documents charging him with contributory negligence along with CCTV evidence. This was regarding the incident where he and his girlfriend were hit by an oncoming pickup truck that lost control and crossed the median. The accident occurred on 18 Feb 2026, resulting in the death of Mr. Somchai's girlfriend who was riding with him. The other party was Mr. Surin Maikaew, who was driving a white pickup truck registered in Nakhon Sawan and also died.
Reviewing CCTV footage installed along the Tha Tako–Nakhon Sawan road near Tha Tako Municipality, it was found that Mr. Somchai and his girlfriend were driving from Nakhon Sawan heading toward Tha Tako District to continue to Phaisali District. At the accident site, the white pickup truck driven by Mr. Surin, the deceased other party, who was traveling out of Tha Tako District on the opposite side of the road, lost control, hit the median causing a tire to burst, and crossed over to collide head-on with Mr. Somchai's vehicle, fatally injuring his girlfriend at the scene.
Mr. Somchai revealed that since the accident, the case had been quiet for four months until 18 June 2026 when he received a letter notifying him of charges for contributory negligence. The letter stated that 'In the three seconds before the collision, you drove in the right lane without braking, indicating a lack of caution as expected by the nature and behavior outlined in Criminal Code Section 49 Paragraph 4. At the accident site, the road expands to four lanes with two left lanes free of obstacles. According to the Land Traffic Act Sections 34-35, the defendant (Mr. Somchai) was required to drive close to the left lane. Had the defendant complied with traffic laws and moved left or swerved left upon seeing danger, the accident and passenger loss would not have occurred. In this case, both drivers were equally negligent.'
This raises significant doubts because on the day of the accident, the other party showed signs of intoxication, and a later blood alcohol test measured 299 mg percent, which was clearly documented. Mr. Somchai believes the accident was caused mainly by the other party's intoxication and recklessness.
Meanwhile, Mr. Somchai's daughter said, "I have had doubts since the first day the police reviewed the CCTV clearly showing the other party was clearly at fault. Yet after 2-3 months, there has been a consistent narrative that this accident would be ruled as contributory negligence. Now that this has come true, I want justice for my father who is bedridden with both legs broken, unable to walk, has not worked for four months, and has incurred over 400,000 baht in medical expenses."
Police Lieutenant Colonel Suttikorn Iamsam-ang, the investigating officer, added, "The reason for charging contributory negligence is that the complaining party was driving in the right lane on a four-lane road, which by law requires keeping left except when turning. The intoxicated other party was charged similarly. Any claims for damages must be pursued through legal action against the deceased party's relatives."