Van Strikes Motorcyclist In U-Turn, 74-Year-Old Dies
A 74-year-old motorcyclist died after a passenger van struck him at a U-turn point on Suansor Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on July 3; police say the van was traveling at excessive speed and couldn't brake in time.
Police received a report on July 3 of a collision between a passenger van and a sidecar motorcycle with serious injuries on Suansor Road near a U-turn point in Nong Saeng subdistrict, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Officers found the van parked on the roadside with severe damage to its left front. About 30 meters away lay the body of 74-year-old Boonjan, unconscious and motionless on the road verge, severely battered from being struck and thrown from the motorcycle. Emergency responders performed CPR before transporting him to hospital. Nearby on the roadside lay a blue Honda motorcycle with sidecar, overturned and damaged from the impact.
Initial investigation revealed the van was traveling from Na Di district toward Prachuap Khiri Khan when it struck Boonjan's motorcycle as he attempted to turn ahead. The van was traveling at speed and could not brake in time to avoid the collision. Boonjan died later at the hospital.
Local residents reported the U-turn point is a recurring accident hotspot, as vehicles traveling straight often drive at excessive speeds and cannot stop in time when drivers ahead brake or turn suddenly. Police Inspector Sophon Chinasutti said investigators will question the van driver, examine collision evidence, and interview witnesses. If the driver was speeding, negligent, and failed to reduce speed at the U-turn point, criminal charges will be filed.
