The Vientiane Traffic Police Department are seeking to arrested the driver of a Kia car who ran away on foot after hitting three motorbikes in Nathom village, Xaythany district, Vientiane back in June.
After losing control of his car and colliding with three motorbikes along a roadside, the driver escaped from his badly damaged vehicle and ran off on foot.
During the accident, five victims sustained injures and one of them, Ms Touk, 20, of Oudomphon village, Xaythany district, lost a leg. However, all victims have now recovered.
More than one month later, the driver of the vehicle has not taken responsibility by coming forward.
Vientiane Police Office Deputy Chief and Director of the Vientiane Traffic Police Department, Lieutenant Colonel Youttaphong Souvannasing, told Vientiane Times on Friday that they were able to trace the Kia vehicle bearing the number plate ກຍ 9877 to Mr Ton Sisomboun, of Dondou village, Hadxaifong district, Vientiane.
Police are now only waiting for the arrest warrant from the Ministry of Public Security and Mr Ton is expected to be arrested soon.
Lieutenant Colonel Youttaphong Souvannasing said there have been 21 reported hit-and-run cases in Vientiane so far this year and police have made eight arrests.
Police said most hit-and-run accidents take place in rural areas at night when it is dark and the drivers responsible can escape unseen.
The main causes of such incidents are high speed driving and intoxication.
When hit-and-run accidents occur, the police launch an investigation and examine CCTV footage if it exists.
If they are able to apprehend the driver who fled the scene, the police will make every attempt to bring justice to bear.
A serious incident of the hit-and-run of this year occurred last month in capital when a Hyundai pickup and a motorbike were involved in a collision at Phonpapao traffic lights in Sisattanak district, Vientiane.
During the incident the pickup was reportedly travelling at high speed along Kamphaengmeuang Road in the same direction as the motorbike from Nonghai village towards Lao-ITECC when it ran into the back of the bike. The vehicle dragged the body of the woman rider for about 50 metres but quickly drove off. The incident killed a woman and her daughter instantly at the scene.
Police questioned witnesses and examined available CCTV footage and were able to arrest the driver a few days later.
According to Article 87 of the Criminal Law, anyone who is involved in a traffic accident and flees the scene is subject to a prison sentence of six months to two years and a fine ranging from 200,000 kip to 1 million kip.
Source: Vientiane Times
