A FOREIGNER riding a big bike crashed into a driving under influence (DUI) checkpoint in Pattaya in the wee hours of this morning (Nov. 2) hitting and seriously injuring a policeman but then managed to flee into a nearby thicket and while a suspect was finally captured he denies all charges, Naewna newspaper said.
At 2.20 a.m. Pol. Lt. Rapiphat Phrommin, deputy inspector at Pattaya City police station’s traffic police unit, was hit by the big motorcycle after the unidentified foreigner riding it crashed through the checkpoint sending him flying in the air and hitting his head on the ground causing serious injury.
Rescuers quickly took the policeman to the hospital during which the others tried to arrest the foreigner but as he is big-built he managed to free himself and run into the thicket.
After a while a foreigner who fit the description walked out of the thicket and went into the sea at Jomtien beach to wash himself.
The policemen waited for him to come out and then arrested and took him to the police station even though he denied the charges. He also refused to undergo the breathalyser test.
Police tracked down the big bike’s owner and have identified the foreigner who rented it.
Mr. Santi Poonnoi, a volunteer of Sawang Boriboon Dhammasathan Rescue Foundation, said just as the police team were measuring the alcohol level of passing motorists and bikers, this big bike zoomed toward them, dodged the traffic cone barrier, and hit the policeman with this leading to the vehicle falling. He then fled into the thicket.
The arrested foreigner refused to cooperate with the police, not even giving his name. He was taken to the hospital for an alcohol test after being questioned.
CAPTION
The Pattaya checkpoint where a policeman got severely injured after being hit by a big bike and the foreigner who was arrested but denies the charges. Photos: Amarin TV
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