A village headman driving a van crashed into a sidecar selling grilled squid, killing one and seriously injuring another. He appeared at Sai Noi Police Station, denying he was drunk, did not flee after the incident, and pledged to take responsibility for those affected by the loss.
The shocking accident occurred when a van struck a motorcycle sidecar operated by 31-year-old Pimpitcha Panphu and her husband Sithathorn Toncharoen, also 31, who were selling grilled squid and meatballs near a gas station on Lat Pla Duk Road, Nong Prao Ngai Subdistrict, Sai Noi District, Nonthaburi Province. Pimpitcha died at the scene, and Sithathorn was seriously injured.
At that moment, a bystander's video captured the suspect, wearing a shirt with a logo resembling a government agency, trying to leave the scene. The suspect later returned to accept responsibility, saying he had checked and saw the victim was already dead, while the bystander followed, recording the incident.
Sompan, Pimpitcha's mother, stated that her daughter and son-in-law were the family's main support, caring for her and their three children aged 6, 8, and 16. She has no other income and relied on the couple's daily earnings of 1,000 to 2,000 baht from selling grilled squid. She vowed to pursue the case to the fullest and wants the responsible party to take full accountability.
A friend of the injured man recounted that after the accident, he received a message asking for help. When he called back, a rescue officer answered, who then took the injured to the hospital. Initially, the injured man was calling for his wife, but upon arrival at the hospital, he was unable to recall anything related to the accident. The friend hopes justice will be served for both victims.
At 10:30 a.m. on 21 September 2026 at Sai Noi Police Station, 39-year-old village headman Peeraphong, the van driver involved, came forward to give a statement and acknowledge the charges according to legal procedures.
Peeraphong explained that he was driving normally when heavy rain and poor visibility, combined with a 10-wheel truck turning into a gas station, obscured his view ahead. When he suddenly saw the truck close by, he tried to brake and swerve, causing his vehicle to skid and crash violently into the motorcycle sidecar.
He insisted that he was driving at a moderate speed and had not consumed alcohol or been intoxicated. After the accident, he did not flee but got out to check on the injured and called their relatives while the injured still showed some signs of consciousness.
“I sincerely apologize to the families of the deceased and injured. I deeply regret this unforeseen accident that no one wanted to happen. At that moment, I was at a loss and truly sorry. I am ready to take full responsibility and care for the victims' families,” he said.
Initially, Sai Noi Police investigators questioned Peeraphong thoroughly and charged him with reckless driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious injury, and property damage. The case will proceed through the legal process.