Monk Deaths: 11-Year-Old Driver Case Investigation Expands
An 11-year-old boy whose vehicle struck monks on an alms walk in Mukdahan, killing 10 people, remains hospitalized as police expand their investigation into charges against both the child and his parents for negligence.
Mukdahan Provincial Police held a progress meeting on the case of an 11-year-old boy whose vehicle struck a group of monks on an alms walk, resulting in 10 deaths and numerous injuries. Deputy Commander Ammnat Hanchana reported that investigators have interviewed 28 witnesses, including eyewitnesses and people in the vicinity, while collecting evidence from security cameras, forensic analysis, and witness statements.
The investigation is divided into two main tracks: charges against the child driver and charges against his parents. The boy remains unable to participate in formal questioning because he is undergoing treatment at Phra Sai Maha Bodhi Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province, pending medical and professional team assessments of his psychological readiness for police interrogation.
Investigators are gathering evidence to determine if the parents violated the Child Protection Act through negligence, or face other charges. Key questions include how the child accessed the vehicle, who taught him to drive, and whether anyone allowed him access to the car and keys.
A major obstacle in the investigation is the inability to interview the child, as both he and his mother remain severely affected by the incident. So far, investigators have only been able to interview the child's grandparents. All information must be corroborated with other evidence before conclusions can be drawn about liability.
