PREY VENG: Police in Prey Veng Province have arrested two suspects for the death of a truck driver who lost control of his vehicle after the suspects threw a brick through his windshield. The police vowed the suspects would be brought to justice for the victim and his family in accordance with the law.
On April 29, 2023, Preah Veng Police were called to investigate a truck that had veered off the road and into a ditch. Upon arrival in Prey Khla Village, they discovered the driver was dead at the scene and determined that the case was not a mere traffic accident, but a criminal case, suspecting something had been thrown at the truck’s front window.
Prey Veng Provincial Police Commissioner Chhoeun Bunchon set up three teams to investigate the case and summoned several suspects, but they were unable to determine any solid leads.
Police finally identified their first suspect on January 2, 2024. Touch Chen, a 21-year-old male, was arrested in Prey Veng’s Pong Puos Village. Experts questioned the suspect for two days before Chen confessed that he had thrown a brick at the container truck, ultimately causing the driver’s death. He also admitted that he had not acted alone. Following the confession, 18-year-old Nou Dara, or Tak, was arrested in Prey Phsay Village on January 7.
While in custody, the two suspects admitted their guilt, identified as gang members, and explained the details of the evening that would leave an innocent truck driver dead. The men said they had just finished eating at the base of the Neak Leung Bridge. For the motorcycle ride home, they armed themselves with bricks and samurai swords in case they met any rival gang members. Around Kampong Soeng market, a truck came from the opposite direction and flashed its lights. This angered the young men and they threw a brick in response. The suspects said the move was meant as a warning and that they did not intend to kill the driver. The blow to his windshield caused the driver to lose control of his vehicle, however, and he died on impact with a nearby ditch.
The two suspects are currently being held by the Prey Veng Police. They will be sent to Prey Veng Provincial Court for pre-trial detention.
