Driver’s wife dies in collision of two 18-wheelers
An 18-wheel tractor-trailer crashed into the rear of another tractor-trailer trailer transporting sugar, has resulted in injuries to the first truck driver and his wife’s death.
The accident took place at 4am on Sunday morning on the Huai Tha Sai elevated bridge in Tambon Bang Phra in Chon Buri's Sri Racha district.
The sugar-laden truck was driving uphill when the other 18-wheeler driven by Anuwat Khampreeda, 23, suddenly crashed into its rear.
The violent collision wrecked Anuwat’s vehicle and resulted in rescue workers labouring for 20 minutes to extricate the seriously wounded Anuwat and his wife Patcharin Ampathum, also 23. Patchawin was later pronounced dead from her injuries at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital.
The accident caused a one-kilometre traffic jam as police and rescue workers helped the wounded and cleared both trucks from the scene.
Driver Uthon Nilakhonburi, 61, told police that he was transporting sugar from Khon Kaen to deliver to the Laem Chabang Port. With a heavy load of sugar, he was driving slowly uphill onto the elevated bridge when Anuwat's truck rear-ended his vehicle.
Police said they are investigating whether Anuwat might have dozed off behind wheel or was driving at high speed and so unable to brake in time to avoid hitting Uthon’s truck.
Police took Uthon into custody for further questioning.