Police in Phnom Penh on Friday arrested a man suspected of killing a 5-year-old boy in a drunk driving accident and attempting to flee the scene, officers said Sunday.
Nup Yorn, 46, was intoxicated when he drove his Toyota Camry into the back of the cart of a family of scavengers picking up empty bottles and cans along National Road 1 in Chbar Ampov district on Friday at about 7 p.m., municipal traffic police officer Taing An, who is heading the case, said Sunday.
He said the boy, Pham Dang Trai, was riding inside the cart at the time of the accident and was thrown into the air by the impact, dying at the scene.
Two older siblings also inside the cart and the mother and father of the family, who were riding on the motorbike pulling the cart, suffered minor injuries, he said.
“The car was speeding and at about 7 p.m. crashed into the back of the motorbike with the scavenger cart full of people, causing one boy to die and leaving four [people] with injuries,” Mr. An said.
“The driver was drunk while he was driving and could not control the car,” he added. “We are questioning him.”
Municipal deputy traffic police chief Sem Kunthea said Mr. Yorn tried to drive away from the scene of the accident but tuk-tuk drivers and other witnesses blocked his path, preventing his getaway and allowing police to make the arrest.
He said the suspect was being held by the traffic police and may be sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court today for more questioning.
