The owner of a luxury car importer is facing an additional DUI charge after he refused a sobriety test on the day of the fatal car crash in Ayutthaya which killed two people.
Royal Thai Police Deputy Spokesman Kritsana Pattanacharoen said yesterday they have charged Jenphop Weeraporn, 37, with driving under the influence leading to the deaths of others.
Jenphop had refused a sobriety test on the day of the fatal car crash (March 13), in which he slammed his Mercedes into a Ford Fiesta on Paholyothin road, killing two people inside when their car burst into flames, reported Manager.
Under traffic law, he was presumed guilty of being under the influence of substances as he objected to alcohol or drug tests.
Although national police deputy commander Pongsapat Pongcharoen said earlier that Jenphop would also face a charge of obstructing justice for refusing the sobriety test, the investigators backed off at the last minute as they could not agree whether the charge covered Jenphop’s action, according to Khaosod English.
Pol. Col. Somsak Polpankang, deputy superintendent of Ayutthaya’s Phra-in Racha district police, told reporters on Thursday that Jenphop “did not smell of alcohol on the day of the accident” to shake off public concerns over why he was not immediately tested for drugs and alcohol.
Samsak has been transferred along with his superintendent. They are both facing a probe.
Meanwhile, police have concluded, based on evidence and witnesses, that Jenphop was driving at 250 kph when he crashed his Mercedes into the victims’ car, according to Matichon.
Police also found anti-depressant pills in his car, but more information is needed before they can determine if the pills affected his driving ability.
Jenphop could be charged for driving while his ability was impaired which will add three months to his jail sentence and a maximum fine of THB10,000, The Nation reported.
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