Chiang Rai man arrested after fatal hit-and-run incident
Police have arrested a man suspected of being the motorist seen in a widely shared video smashing into a motorcycle in Muang Chiang Rai Tuesday night – killing a woman and injuring a man.
Video of the hit-and-run was posted on Facebook.
Charnnarong Krongrab, 38, was arrested at his house in Tambon Doi Hang in the same district at 8.30pm on Wednesday night after police were able to determine the truck’s licence plate number from a CCTV camera recording.
The video clip showed a pickup truck believed to be Charnarong’s striking a motorcycle carrying two people. The truck is seen pushing the bike almost 40 metres before it comes loose, at which point the pickup driver flees the scene
Motorcycle passenger Netikan Taota, 20, died in hospital. The bike’s male driver, who was not identified, was severely injured.
Police said Charnarong claimed he fled the scene because he was afraid the motorcyclists’ friends might attack him.
They said Charnarong replaced his pickup’s front bumper the next morning, but traces of the accident were still visible.
Charnarong is charged with murder, reckless driving causing death and injury, and failing to stop to help people injured in a road accident.