BANGKOK, Thailand – A 29-year-old delivery rider was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Bang Bua Thong district on August 23 after his motorcycle struck the rear of a pickup truck before he was thrown into the path of an SUV. The accident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. in front of the Kai Yang Rama 5 restaurant on Chaiyaphruek Road, on the side heading toward Rama 4, in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi province.
Police from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, rescue volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation and forensic medical personnel were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the crash.
The victim was identified as Chakrit Chuaywongyat, 29, who worked for a company and also worked part-time as a delivery rider. He was found lying on his back on the road wearing a black long-sleeved jacket and shorts. He had suffered severe facial injuries and abrasions to his body.
A full-face helmet was found nearby, along with his badly damaged Honda Click motorcycle, registration 9679 Bangkok. Police also found a pair of red boxing gloves, headgear and shin guards inside his delivery bag, apparently items he had been carrying to deliver to a customer.
Initial examination of CCTV footage showed that a black Mazda BT-50 pickup truck, registration 3081 Bangkok, had stopped at the restaurant at around 2:22 p.m. The pickup left the restaurant about five minutes later and slowed before suddenly moving into the second lane to head toward the bridge.
The motorcycle rider, travelling behind the pickup, struck the pickup’s rear right side. The impact threw him into the path of a Toyota Yaris Cross SUV travelling alongside him in the third lane. The SUV ran over the rider, causing critical injuries. The pickup’s right rear light and rear bumper were damaged. The driver was identified as Pornchai Kaewpiyasup, 52.
The second vehicle, a dark-blue Toyota Yaris Cross, registration 1596 Bangkok, sustained damage to its side skirt. The driver was identified as Mr. Masaki Kubota, whose nationality was not immediately established. Both drivers remained at the scene and gave information to police. A witness, Saweang Thiengphrom, 55, said he had been eating at a restaurant near the crash site when he heard a loud impact. He rushed outside and saw the rider lying in the middle of the road.
The rider initially still had vital signs and was wearing his helmet. Bystanders did not attempt to move him, instead helping to warn approaching vehicles and prevent another collision. Rescue workers later arrived, removed the helmet and performed CPR, but were unable to save him.
The victim’s father, Preecha Pititawichai, 49, arrived at the scene and said his son worked for a company and used motorcycle delivery work to earn additional income.
He said his son had left home early that morning and he was unsure whether he was on his way to deliver an order when the crash occurred. His son normally rode his motorcycle carefully and slowly, he said. The victim was married, and his father believed his daughter-in-law might not yet have known about the fatal accident.
Police documented the scene and took photographs as evidence before taking the pickup and SUV drivers to Bang Bua Thong Police Station for further questioning.
Investigators will also examine additional CCTV footage from the surrounding area to establish the sequence of events and determine responsibility for the fatal crash.
