Police
were finally able to catch up with the drug-crazed driver after he tried to
escape into the jungle.
Patcharapol Panrak
A commercial truck driver high on methamphetamines took
Sattahip police on a wild chase up Sukhumvit Road, running red lights,
smashing through police barricades and exchanging gunfire in heavy traffic.
Sommai Jaroensuk, 30, was arrested on charges of reckless
driving, ya ba consumption, destruction of property, resisting arrest and
discharging a firearm in public.
The TV show-like episode began around 2 p.m. Jan. 31 when
police received reports a driver of a 10-wheeled fish-delivery truck was
shooting at passing traffic. Officers pursued, setting off a high-speed
chase that saw Sommai allegedly run a red light at the Ban Taothan
intersection and shoot into the air.
Police attempted to block the road, but the truck rammed
the barricade and turned onto Route 332. Police again followed to the
entrance to the Song Meta Wanaram Temple in Bang Saray where they used their
vehicles to squeeze the truck off the road. At the same time, one officer
shot out the truck’s front tire.
The fish man lost control and crashed, but escaped on
foot into the jungle. He was finally apprehended, but not before allegedly
fighting officers and resisting arrest.
Police said Sommai eventually confessed to using drugs
and driving wildly, but not shooting a gun. Officers said the suspect threw
the weapon into jungle bushes while escaping and they could not find it. The
deliveryman said he took the ya ba to stay awake.
