Calya Car Plunges Into Kali Cengkareng Drain After Driver Loses Control

Jakarta — Police have revealed that a Toyota Calya that plunged into the Kali Cengkareng Drain in West Jakarta was caused by the driver, identified as MH, losing control while driving. AKP Joko Siswanto, head of the Gakkum unit of the West Jakarta Metro Police, said MH, who was heading towards Kamal, lost control and swerved to avoid a motorbike ahead. “While moving at the location, the driver lost control as he tried to avoid a motorbike in front of him. The car then swerved to the right, hit a tree, and finally plummeted into the drain,” Joko said in a written statement on Thursday, 5 March 2026. The material damage could not be avoided as the vehicle sustained severe damage. “There were no injuries or fatalities. However, the Toyota Calya’s front end was destroyed and the front axle broke due to impact,” he added. To evacuate the vehicle, police together with the Department of Transportation (Dishub) deployed a tow crane. However, the car’s position inside the drain made the evacuation process difficult and briefly caused congestion on Jalan Outer Ring Road during the morning peak. “Alhamdulillah, the evacuation process was completed around 08:00 WIB this morning. Traffic, which had been held up, is gradually returning to normal,” Joko said. Earlier reports indicated that the Calya plunged into the Kali Cengkareng Drain on Jalan Outer Ring Road near the Taman Palem Lestari housing estate in West Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026, in the early hours. Gakkum Unit head AKP Joko Siswanto said the driver, MH (24), lost control while driving. “Yes, there was a traffic accident due to the driver losing control, where a car plunged into the drain on Jalan Outer Ring Road, Taman Palem, Cengkareng at 03:00 WIB,” Joko stated in a written release. Joko explained that the incident began when the Toyota Calya with registration B 1871 JFS, driven by a resident of Teluk Naga, Tangerang, was travelling from Cengkareng toward Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. “While at the location, the driver lost control because he was trying to avoid a motorbike in front of him. The car then swerved to the right, hit a tree, and finally fell into the drain,” he said. Kompas.com is committed to providing clear, trustworthy, and balanced facts. Support transparent journalism and enjoy ad-free reading with a membership. Join Kompas.com Plus today.