A drunk cab driver crashed his car into a policeman overseeing a charity running event in Bang Khen district early Sunday morning. The officer later died at hospital.
Pol Sub Lt Assada Chamniansri, 54, was directing traffic on Phahol Yothin Road, outside the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) depot, at about 6am when he was hit by a green-yellow taxi.
First responders found him in critical condition and sent him to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, where he died hours later.
The taxi driver was identified as Warabut Somsawang, 45. Subsequent testing revealed his blood alcohol level was 287 milligrammes, far exceeding the legal limit of 50 mg. Mr Warawut reportedly confessed to drinking at a friend's house in Huai Kwang district and watching a few English Premier League football matches before driving home, saying he was not drunk.
He claimed that he saw Assada stand in the middle of the road and tried to swerve his car to avoid him but could not control the vehicle.
Police charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving causing death. The fatal accident occurred during a mini-marathon organised by Phranakhon Rajabhat University.
