Bangkok: Tragic! "Sergeant Tee," a retired police officer, was killed after being hit by a taxi while volunteering to assist with traffic control in front of Rama 3 Soi 8 on Rama 3 Road. The taxi driver sped away. Police tracked down the taxi at a garage in the Lat Krabang area and took the 62-year-old driver into custody for questioning and legal proceedings.
According to Thai News Agency, it was a life-or-death moment as volunteer rescuers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation frantically performed CPR on Police Lieutenant Weerachai Saisuk, or "Sergeant Tee," 73, a retired officer from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station. He had been hit by a taxi while directing traffic on the median strip in front of Rama 3 Soi 8, Rama 3 Road, in the BRT lane, before the driver fled the scene. Sergeant Tee was rushed to the hospital but died later.
At the scene, a patrol car from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station was found parked with its emergency lights on. Approximately 50 meters away, evidence was found: a red car emblem and a damaged rearview mirror cover.
According to his fellow police officers, Police Lieutenant Weerachai is a retired officer who has been out of service for a long time. However, he still has a passion for helping younger officers regularly, volunteering to facilitate traffic every morning for 13 years. Before the incident, Lieutenant Weerachai was inspecting a patrol box in the area when he crossed to the other lane of the road. A pink taxi then crashed into him before fleeing towards the Rama III Bridge.
Police traced the escape route and found the taxi at a garage in the Lat Krabang area. The driver was identified as Mr. Somchai, 62 years old. The car was severely damaged, with the front and rear windows shattered. He was then taken to the police station for questioning and legal proceedings.
Initially, investigators charged the driver with negligent driving causing death and fleeing the scene without stopping to provide assistance or identifying himself to authorities, before proceeding with legal action.