According to police in Samut Prakan province, a drunk driver who blocked an ambulance on its way to pick up a patient who later died before reaching the hospital could face a charge of negligence leading to death.
The drunk driver was identified as Samrit Maneerit, 38, Pol Capt Sarawut Mangmee, inspector of Muang police station, told media yesterday.
The incident took place at around 10 pm on Monday in Muang district when police received a complaint that a car had cut in front an ambulance on its way to an emergency, forcing it to stop, while its driver berated the crew.
The man’s car was soon traced to a house in Soi Witthayu Kanbin and police were dispatched immediately to take him into custody for questioning.
A blood alcohol test returned a reading of 190 milligrammes per deciliter (mg/dl) of blood, far beyond the legal limit of 50 mg/dl, according to Pol Capt Mangmee.
Subenja Bovornpornkasem, the nurse in the ambulance, was quoted telling police that the ambulance was in front of Samut Prakan provincial hall when they received an emergency call to pick up a patient, a man who was being given CPR at his house.
On the way, a car travelling alongside the ambulance suddenly cut in front and blocked the lane.
The car’s driver got out and began scolding the ambulance crew before he drove off and allowed them to continue to their callout.
Pracha Boribun, 46, the patient who the crew were delayed getting to, had suffered a seizure at his home and later died on the way to Samut Prakan Hospital.
Pol Capt Mangmee said the drunk driver has apologised, but claimed it was the ambulance that had blocked his path.
