The BMW saleswoman who crashed a BMW SUV into Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Phnom Penh villa early Wednesday morning was on Thursday formally accused by a municipal deputy prosecutor of drunk driving, destroying public property and causing injury, police said.
Ung Kolzanich, 25, injured three of Mr. Hun Sen’s personal bodyguards at about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday when she crashed into them near the entrance to the premier’s house while driving around the Independence Monument.
Ms. Kolzanich was accused of being drunk by traffic police following the car crash, and was on Thursday afternoon escorted from the municipal traffic police office to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning.
The three accusations were leveled against her during the questioning, according to a police officer who is involved in the case but who asked not to be named as he is not authorized to speak with the media.
“The deputy prosecutor questioned her and accused her of drunk driving, destroying public property and unintentionally injuring people under Article 83 of the traffic law and Article 410 of the criminal code,” he said.
The officer said Ms. Kolzanich would be detained at the traffic police office overnight before being returned to court today for questioning by the investigating judge.
“The investigating judge questioned her and will continue to question her again tomorrow,” he said.
Kham Sopheary, the deputy prosecutor, could not be reached for comment Thursday. Kim Rathnarin, the judge, said he would consider the charges recommended by Mr. Sopheary during Friday’s session.
“The case has only just been sent to me, and tomorrow I will question her,” Mr. Rathnarin said.
Leaving the courtroom Thursday, Ms. Kolzanich told reporters that she had not intended to crash her BMW into the prime minister’s Phnom Penh villa.
“I did not have intention to do it, I lost control,” Ms. Kolzanich said. “I have come to take responsibility.”
“Please forgive me,” Ms. Kolzanich added.
“I was sick, and at that time I had met with my client, and I was drunk and it was about 1 a.m.,” she said.
