By Ham Samnang
the cambodia daily
A settlement has been reached between the National Election Commission and the families of victims killed or injured in a Kompong Thom province car crash.
An NEC-owned Toyota Land Cruiser slammed into a group of people Aug 26 in Phum Prasat market in Santuck district, Kompong Thom province, killing 15 and injuring 39.
Lawyers for the NEC and the families have been negotiating a settlement, and the NEC has agreed to pay families of the dead $800 each, Kompong Thom province subcommissioner Kem An said. The NEC will pay for the ongoing medical care for the injured, and will discuss compensation at a later date, Kem An said.
The families of the dead initially sought $1,000 each, but agreed by a show of hands to accept the NEC’s counteroffer, Kem An said. The NEC will pay the families of the dead on Sept 30.
Four NEC workers were traveling in the Land Cruiser, on their way back to Phnom Penh from Banteay Meanchey province, when the vehicle struck a young boy who darted into the road. The vehicle then careened into a roadside gasoline stand, killing the vendor and her grandchild. Burning gasoline flew in several directions, killing or severely burning several bystanders.
Uorng Kheng, an NEC worker who was in the car at the time of the accident, said he was relieved to hear of the settlement, but was still “shocked and sorry.”
“Life cannot be bought,” he said.
