Driver in fatal car crash had ‘tranquiliser in his system’

AN INITIAL BLOOD test result on Jenpop Weeraporn, who allegedly drove his Mercedes-Benz into the back of a sedan killing two in Ayutthaya province last week, ]showed he had a psychotropic substance (tranquiliser) in his system. 

Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chiajinda said yesterday the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry has also reported to police about the medicine.

Chakthip told reporters that Jenpop could use this evidence in his court defence because it was within his rights. Police would proceed with any legal action without favouring a suspect. 

Chakthip said legal advice suggested that if a suspect refused to take an alcohol test after an accident, police could presume the suspect was drunk at the time. 

Meanwhile, Scientific Crime Detection Center deputy commander Pol Colonel Nathapol Samsen said investigating officers had yet to confirm the Mercedes-Benz’s speed at the time of the accident. 

It would require 2-3 days to be confirmed. He said car industry representatives would meet with police investigators today to help confirm the car’s camera footage and other related information, including its speed.

Nathapol dismissed online news reports that Jenpop’s car was travelling at 250 kilometres/hour at the time and confirmed such information wasn’t from the forensic police. He said police would also check cameras on passing vehicles near the crash site. 

The procedure was ongoing and would take some time. 

In a separate road accident case, Chakthip said he would instruct acting Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Sanit Mahathaworn to speed up investigation into Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya. Vorayuth is accused of killing Pol Snr Sgt-Major Wichean Klinprasert in a hit-and-run accident in September 2012. 

Sanit yesterday said Thong Lor Police had submitted the case against Vorayuth to officials in February 2013. 

The charges included reckless driving resulting in death and property damage, failing to stop and aid a victim, and speeding. He said that, although the speeding charge’s statute of limitations expired in 2013, the case would not be affected. Other charges with more severe penalties remained. He affirmed that if someone did wrong, he would be jailed – regardless of his wealth.