Pickup driver surrenders after German couple killed in Khao Lak

A 37-year-old pickup truck driver has surrendered to police after running a red light and hitting a German couple at a pedestrian crossing in Khao Lak, Phang Nga, killing both before fleeing the scene.

The victims were identified as Gabriela Gulden, 63, and Wilbert Schwiers, 64. They were crossing the road in the Khao Lak tourist area in Khuekkhak, Takua Pa district, on the evening of 2 October when they were hit by the pickup truck.

Khao Lak police chief Pol Col Jetsada Chanphum said the driver, a Phang Nga resident, surrendered at Khao Lak Police Station on the afternoon of 3 October and brought the pickup truck involved in the crash.

Police said CCTV footage showed the driver travelling from Takua Pa towards Thai Mueang while driving close to the road median. When he reached the crossing in a community area, he ran a red light and hit the couple as they crossed from the median towards a restaurant.

The driver then fled towards Thai Mueang without stopping to provide assistance or immediately reporting the crash to authorities.

The pickup truck had damage to its front and was seized by police as evidence.

Police have charged the driver with three offences: causing death through negligence, driving negligently or recklessly in a manner that could endanger people or property, and failing to stop and provide reasonable assistance or report the accident to authorities.

The driver confessed to the charges, police said.

Police are also testing him for drugs and substances in his bloodstream. If the tests show that he was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, additional charges will be filed.

The victims’ bodies were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for autopsies. Police are coordinating with their relatives and the German embassy on the next steps.