An intoxicated driver speeding along National Road 5 in Banteay Meanchey province struck two motorbikes and a sedan, killing one woman and injuring six others before jumping into a river in an escape attempt, police said.
Chhreng Somnang, 35, was drunk when his Toyota Prius sideswiped a woman pulling out of a market in Serei Saophoan City at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, leaving her “badly injured,” deputy provincial police chief Sam Kimsour said on Tuesday.
The driver immediately sped off, then veered into oncoming traffic as he crossed the bridge above Toek Thla River and hit a Toyota Camry head-on, instantly killing the front-seat passenger, Sim Sokheng, 28, and badly injuring her husband and two children, he said.
The car then slammed into an oncoming motorcycle, slightly injuring the two passengers, before Mr. Somnang jumped out of his car and into the river, he added.
District police, who surrounded the river, persuaded him to swim to shore, Mr. Kimsour said.
Mr. Somnang was taken to provincial police headquarters, where officials were preparing reports to send him to court, he said.
