Five Die in Expressway Car Smash
Five people died when their car spun out of control at high speed and rolled several times on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway on Feb. 7. Photo: Vei Samnang
- By Meng Seavmey
- February 7, 2024 4:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Five people died when their car spun out of control at high speed and rolled several times on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway on Feb. 7.
The crash happened as the car was overtaking on a curve in the road near Samraong Tong village.
Kampong Speu Provincial Police said the Alphard vehicle was carrying seven people from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk province.
Heng Sovann, leader of the expressway joint operation team, said the driver was a woman in her 30s and was taking her family for a vacation.
She was driving at 145kmh and was “suspected to be in a sleepy state”, said Sovann, adding that lost control of the steering.
One of the two survivors, a 13-year-old girl, was severely injured and was taken to hospital. The other was knocked unconscious but recovered with no serious injuries.
Sovann added that the survivor said that the driver had not consumed any alcohol before the trip.
Another crash took place near the spot a day earlier involving a Range Rover car which hit the side barrier, causing damage but no death.
Kampong Speu governor Vei Samnang, through his Facebook, expressed his condolences to the victims.
“Expressway users must be more cautious when driving to avoid passing another vehicle in a disadvantageous state and driving while sleepy or drunk, and to respect the speed limit,” he said.
Phat Dane contributed to the story.
