Street Sweeper Hit by Car, Driver Fled Without Helping
A street sanitation worker in Bangkok's Sai Mai district was struck by a white Toyota Altis on July 9 and left with severe injuries; the driver fled without offering help, and authorities are seeking dashcam footage to identify the vehicle.
On July 12, Ms. Rapeeprorn Pohsri, a 33-year-old street sanitation worker for Sai Mai district office, filed a complaint seeking justice after being struck by a white Toyota Altis while cleaning and clearing drainage on a sidewalk. The accident occurred on July 9 around 5:10 a.m. on Chaengwattana Road near a Lotus shopping mall in Bangkok's Sai Mai district.
Rapeeprorn recounted the incident: a white Toyota Altis suddenly struck her from behind with tremendous force as she performed her routine duties, launching her body several meters away. She sustained severe injuries to her knee area, with doctors unable to confirm whether she will fully recover normal walking ability.
Worse than the physical pain, she said, was the driver's response. Rather than stopping immediately to help, the driver continued for over 500 meters before parking near a Big C supermarket on Chaengwattana Road. Security footage showed the passenger opening the door to inspect vehicle damage while the driver remained in the car, showing no intention to check on the victim or return to the scene. To this day, no one has taken responsibility.
Rapeeprorn appealed: "How would you feel if this happened to your family member? I'm asking the driver to take responsibility for their actions."
A coworker who witnessed the incident and rushed to help found Rapeeprorn unconscious on the ground with a swollen head from impact and severe ankle injuries. The coworker confirmed Rapeeprorn was working safely within protocol, wearing a reflective safety vest clearly visible even in early dawn conditions.
The coworker appealed to drivers to exercise greater caution and show compassion for street workers who begin work at 4:00 a.m. to keep the city clean and safe for the public.
Nirand Kaeng, cofounder of the Sai Mai community page, reported that his team is reviewing CCTV footage in detail. They have identified a white sedan but the license plate remains unclear in the footage.
Nirand appealed for public cooperation: anyone driving on Chaengwattana Road near the Lotus mall around 5:00 a.m. on July 9 who has dashcam footage or other evidence of the incident is urged to submit it to police as evidence for prosecution.
