Van driver arrested for killing Philippine cyclist

Chachoengsao police show van driver Chutiphan Buddawieng, 29, (sitting right) in a press conference on Friday. He ran a red light and killing a long-distance Philippine cyclist early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Sonthanaporn Inchan)

CHACHOENGSAO: Police arrested a 29-year-old van driver who ran a red light and fatally hit a 55-year-old Philippine cyclist joining a long-distance event early Tuesday morning.

Pol Maj Gen Theerapol Jindaluang, chief of Chachoengsao police, showed van driver Chutiphan Buddawieng in a press conference on Friday. He said the driver was arrested in Sa Kaeo province just before fleeing to Cambodia.

The driver was normally hired to transport passengers between Sa Kaeo and Bangkok. Police found out that he ran a red light at Hua Noen intersection in tambon Khlong Prawet of Ban Pho district at 1.12am on Tuesday on his way from Bangkok to Sa Kaeo. He fled the scene.

Pol Maj Gen Theerapol quoted the driver as saying that he took methamphetamine after developing stress due to the crash. He told the van owner that the white Toyota vehicle hit a cow and the vehicle was later taken to a garage in Min Buri district of Bangkok for repair.

Mr Chutiphan was charged with reckless driving causing death and damage, failing to help his victim and inform an official of the incident, running a red light and using drugs.

Philippine Russel Perez was taking part in the non-competitive 1000BRM long-distance rally organised by Audax Randonneurs Thailand. The riders left Suvarnabhumi airport on Saturday, heading to Trat, and had to return and cross the finish line at the airport on Tuesday. Perez was less than 50 kilometres from the line after pedalling almost 1,000 kilometres.