Battambang crash kills six, including unborn child, sparking demand for harsher penalties
Montage shows relatives holding up portraits of the road crash victims at the funeral; the wreckage and registration number of the car involved in hit-and-run; and the summons for the driver to appear at the provincial police station. Khmer Times
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Synopsis: Family of victims demand justice and accountability after a Mercedes-Benz car ploughs into two motorcycles before driving away. The deadly collision triggers calls for stricter traffic laws.
A devastating case of hit-and-run involving a Mercedes-Benz car killed six members of a family, including an unborn child, and left six others critically injured after the luxury vehicle ploughed into two motorcycles in Battambang province.
As the victims’ family demand justice, experts expressed concern about the high rate of the hit-and-run incidents in the Kingdom, calling for stricter legal actions against negligent drivers without exception.
The crash occurred around 10.40pm on March 27 along National Road 5, between kilometre markers 246 and 247, in Kokos village, Kokos commune, Moung Reussey district, according to local police.
Authorities reported that the black Mercedes-Benz, bearing Cambodian licence plate C.S.6168, was travelling at high speed from Phnom Penh to Battambang when it slammed into the rear of two motorcycles.
The rider of one of the motorcycles was Pok Sinab, a 32-year-old woman from Kokos village, who died at the scene.
Men Mineang, a 10-year-old girl travelling with her, was killed while Men Sokmean, a seven-year-old boy, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Moung Russey District Referral Hospital.
The second motorcycle was carrying Suon Theany, a 50-year-old man, who died on the spot. Two passengers were also killed: Vun Sreychha, a 43-year-old woman, and Chan Chav, a seven-year-old boy.
All of them were from the same family living in Kokos village.
Police confirmed that one of the deceased women was pregnant, bringing the death toll to six.
The impact was severe, with the car striking both motorcycles from behind “at full force”, said police, suggesting excessive speed as a key factor in the crash.
The driver of the vehicle fled and remains at large. Authorities have since identified the registered owner of the car as 20-year-old Siv Cheysith from Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province, currently residing in Phnom Penh. However, police have not confirmed that he was the driver at the time of the incident.
Law enforcement officials are searching for the suspect and have impounded the vehicle at the Battambang provincial traffic police office as an investigation determines responsibility and course of legal action.
Moung Russey District Police Chief Colonel Sar Kimlong could not be reached yesterday for comment. Police documents showed the Battambang Provincial Police have summoned Cheysith for questioning.
Following the last rites, the pictures of family members holding the victims’ portraits at the funeral went viral online yesterday. Cambodians demanded severe legal action against the driver, regardless of his social status or family connections.
Men Sreyneang, the sister of one of the deceased, said the family members were travelling home from a concert.
She said she wanted justice for the deceased and her injured nephew, who suffered a broken leg and severe head wounds.
“We were informed that the driver will come to talk with us about compensation,” Sreyneang told Khmer Times yesterday. “But I want nothing but my sister, brother-in-law, nephews and niece back. We hadn’t even found out the sex of the unborn baby yet.”
Last year, Cambodia recorded 2,345 traffic crashes, resulting in 1,467 deaths and 3,213 injuries. While the figures represent an 18% decrease in road crashes compared to 2024, hit-and-run incidents remain of high concern in urban centres like Phnom Penh.
The Battambang case was the second high-profile hit-and-run incident this month. The first one occurred in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district and involved a woman driver in her early 20s.
Authorities said the collision left an 11-year-old boy seriously injured. Investigators alleged the driver was intoxicated at the time of the incident and fled the scene immediately.
As details emerged, social media speculation grew regarding the possible involvement of a man reportedly linked to a powerful local official. Some witnesses claimed that he, not the woman, had been behind the wheel at the time of the crash. However, authorities later cleared the man while the woman was charged in connection with the case.
The case has left Cambodians questioning the transparency and fairness of the investigation.
Ministry of Interior spokesman Touch Sokhak said the authorities always strictly enforce the law against offenders while also taking into consideration compensation for the family.
“We strictly adhere to laws, no matter who the offenders or the victims are,” he said. “The one who committed the offence will face the consequences, and absolutely no one has any power to prevent that.”
Sokhak said identifying the offender means looking closely and logically at the evidence and witness testimonies.
“Only real and concrete evidence can lead us to the drivers; accusing someone without evidence would be a violation of human rights,” he said. “But with clear evidence, the authorities will take action without regard for what kind of connections the offender boasts.”
Condemning the driver, Kim Pagna, Cambodia Country Director for Asia Injury Prevention Foundation, expressed grave concern over the high prevalence of the hit-and-run cases in Cambodia.
“I call on the government to modify the Law on Road Traffic to make the penalties more severe for drivers who hit someone and escape or (try to escape),” he said. “That means another year in prison.”
Currently, the offenders in hit-and-run cases face up to three years in prison and a 15 million riel ($3,700) fine.
-Khmer Times-
