Friday, 18 September 2009

Fatal Street 51 crash lands driver in court


Photo by: Philippe Hennen
Bystanders surround a car that crashed into the Walkabout Hotel and Bar at the corner of streets 51 and 174 after colliding with a tuk-tuk and several motorbikes, killing one person and injuring four others.


Friday, 18 September 2009 15:03 Chrann Chamroeun

A WOMAN who police suspect was drunk when she ploughed her speeding car through the crowded sidewalks of a popular nightlife area early Wednesday, killing one person and injuring four others, is expected to appear in court today, although authorities have yet to file any charges against her, Phnom Penh Traffic Deputy Police Chief Pen Khun said Thursday.

“We have filed the case to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, but we aren’t making any primary charges,” Pen Khun said.

“We are just informing the court prosecutor that she had been drinking alcohol while driving and was speeding.”

Chuon Saveth, 28, allegedly mowed down four motorbikes and a tuk-tuk, fatally injuring its driver, before slamming her Corolla into the Walkabout Hotel and Bar on Street 51.

Pen Khun identified the tuk-tuk driver as Thai Hour, 55, who later died after he was brought to Calmette Hospital. One witness, who did not wish to be named, said he thought the driver was “deeply drunk”.

“She was driving very fast … and ran down four or five bikes and another tuk-tuk.” The witness claimed the woman tried to drive away from the scene of the crash, but was stopped by bystanders, who physically restrained and “beat her” until police arrived.

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