Phuket NEWS:

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Englishman arrested in Patong

PATONG: An Englishman has been charged with careless driving causing death after being involved in an accident at the southern end of Patong on Sunday afternoon in which a Thai motorcyclist died.

Lt Col Serm Kwannimit of Kathu Police today told the Gazette that Wayne Robert Washbourn*, 38, was driving a pickup truck from Patong to Karon and had just turned from Prachanukhro Rd onto Sirirat Rd at 3:20 pm, when the accident occurred.

Col Serm said that he arrived at the scene to find Washbourn and taxi driver Witoon Pongsombut waiting beside their vehicles by the side of the road.

Motorcycle driver Wittaya Promboonta, 34, was lying dead at the scene, still dressed in his cook’s uniform.

The victim had been employed as a cook at the Baumanburi Resort and Spa on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in Patong.

K. Wittaya suffered a serious head injury; it was not reported whether he was wearing a helmet when the accident occurred.

“Mr Washbourn posted 200,000-baht bail last night. I’m still investigating the accident. He has been charged with careless driving causing death,” Col Serm told the Gazette.

“We also found that he had been drinking [alcohol],” Col Serm said, adding that police may file more charges against Mr Washbourn.

* Correction, Feb 21: In the initial report, the Englishman was named by Lt Col Serm Kwannimit of Kathu Police as Wayne Rooney.

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