Synopsis: Crash in Battambang killed six, including an unborn child.
The family of victims in the notorious Battambang hit-and-run case has received over $80,000 in compensation from the driver’s parents.
Six persons, including an unborn child, lost their lives on March 27 after 20-year-old Siv Cheysith drove his luxury car into two mopeds along National Road 5 in Kokos village of the Kokos commune, Moung Russey district.
While the victims’ relatives said they were satisfied with the payment, a road safety expert has urged the court to proceed with conviction of the driver, warning that failure to do so could reinforce the view that lives can be bought with money in the country.
The rider of one of the motorcycles was Pok Sinab, a 32-year-old woman, who died on the spot. Men Mineang, a 10-year-old girl travelling with her, was killed while Men Sokmean, a seven-year-old boy, was rushed to Moung Russey District Referral Hospital with injuries.
The second motorcycle was carrying Suon Theany, a 50-year-old man, who died on the spot.
Two passengers—Vun Sreychha, a 43-year-old woman, and Chan Chav, a seven-year-old boy—also lost their lives.
All of them were from the family living in Kokos Village. Police confirmed that one of the deceased women was pregnant.
The driver Cheysith, the son of Banteay Meanchey Provincial Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Siv Socheat, later surrendered to authorities following a manhunt ordererd by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The case triggered public outrage and calls for accountability and justice.
Lawyer Lim Chanlida was appointed by Justice Minister Koeut Rith to counsel the family pro bono.
Speaking to Khmer Times yesterday, the family of the victims confirmed that they have accepted a compensation of $82,000 from Cheysith’s parents.
“It includes $15,000 for each of the deceased victims, $5,000 for my wounded nephew and $1,000 for each of the damaged bikes,” said Men Sreyneang, sister of one of the victims. “We will use some of the cash to build stupas for our loved ones.”
Men Min, who lost his pregnant wife and a daughter and is now taking care of his son recovering from a broken leg and severe head injuries, said the compensation is acceptable for his loss.
“As a poor farmer, that is so much for us, although I would never recover from the losses of my wife and daughter,” he said. “My son is getting better, although sometimes he complains about having a headache.”
Min thanked his lawyer and Prime Minister Hun Manet, in addition to other Cambodian leaders who helped his family “seek justice”.
Nevertheless, Kim Pagna, Country Director for the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, told Khmer Times yesterday that while the compensation is part of the civil settlement between the victims’ family and the culprit’s parents, it must not be exploited to hinder the judicial process.
“Despite the payment, the hitter must not be allowed to evade the court procedure, or it will create a bad example which depicts that life could be bought with money,” he added.
“I urged the government to charge and convict the driver in accordance with the country’s laws.”
Pagna also urged the establishment of an association of victims of road incidents to provide support to victims and their families.
“The convictions will function as a warning for all drivers,” he added. “They must never have the idea that they can use money to settle everything.”
Prosecutors at the Battambang Provincial Court have charged Cheysith with two counts. In the first case, Cheysith has been charged with negligent driving causing multiple deaths under Article 85 of the Law on Road Traffic.
In the second case, he was charged with negligent driving causing injury and fleeing the scene under Article 83 of the Traffic Law and Article 543 of the Criminal Code.
- Tags: hit and run, National
