All of the experts tasked with calculating the speed Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya was driving at in the deadly hit-and-run case agree he was speeding, according to a police panel probing the alleged mishandling of the case.
Thong Lor police are expected to forward a new report next week so that prosecutors can consider laying new charges against the Red Bull heir, said assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Jaruwat Waisaya, the deputy chairman of the panel.
Ten witnesses who are experts in assessing car speeds and four other drugs experts have been questioned and their statements are included in the report that is likely to be submitted to prosecutors next week, the officer said.
Vorayuth, 35, was driving his Ferrari when it hit and killed Wichian Klanprasert, 47, as the police officer was riding his motorcycle in Sukhumvit Road in the early hours of 3rd September 2012.
He originally faced three charges but delayed answering those charges for so long that the statute of limitations on two of them expired.
Four car speed experts, including those previously asked to participate in the lengthy investigation, were asked to again estimate how fast he was driving.
All said he must have exceeded the legal speed limit and their estimations ranged from 125kph to 177kph. They also insisted these calculations were accurate, said Pol Lt Gen Waisaya.
The panel wrapped up its investigation by submitting its findings to national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda.
One part of the report deals with new evidence justifying reckless driving and drug charges against Vorayuth. The other concerns alleged misconduct committed in the investigation so far by 22 police officers, including a former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
The panel has requested that a disciplinary probe be launched against these officers to determine whether disciplinary action for serious breaches of duty was necessary, said Pol Lt Gen Waisaya.
For those who have already retired, the panel recommended an inquiry to determine if their roles in the flawed investigation should warrant criminal charges, he said.
The Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police is working with the Foreign Ministry with a view to requesting that Interpol issue a red notice for Vorayuth.
This will only be done once the public prosecutor confirms the new charges.
