Driver Charged in Green SM Taxi–KRL Case in East Bekasi

The police have named a Green SM taxi driver, identified by the initials RPP, as a suspect in the KRL-taxi collision at a level crossing in East Bekasi. Police say the investigation into the taxi–KRL crash is distinct from the railway-to-rail collision case. “Yes, we have named him as a suspect,” said Traffic Police Unit Chief Comr Gefri Agitia to reporters on Thursday (21 May). In this case, the taxi driver is charged under Article 310 Paragraph 1 of Law Number 22 of 2009 on Traffic and Road Transportation, carrying a penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of Rp1 million. Although he has the status of a suspect, investigators did not detain him, because the penalty is below five years. “The cause of the KRL vs Green SM taxi accident is due to the driver’s negligence,” Gefri said. Gefri explained that the KRL–taxi incident is different from the collision between trains that occurred at Bekasi Timur Station. So far, police have not stated any link to the other accident, namely the collision between trains. “The case involves a train colliding with another train; a train with a car is a different case, so they cannot be merged,” he said. Earlier, the accident involving KA Argo Bromo Anggrek and KRL Commuter Line at Bekasi Timur Station occurred on Monday evening, 27 April. The incident was triggered by the taxi Green SM stalling at the crossing due to an electrical system disruption. The vehicle was then struck by a passing KRL. As a consequence of the first crash, a Cikarang-bound KRL set halted at Bekasi Timur Station. While stationary, the train was rear-ended by KA Argo Bromo Anggrek, resulting in the mangling of the rear carriage reserved for women and dozens of lives were lost.