Four killed in Tangerang accident

JAKARTA (JP): Four people were killed and nine others were seriously injured when the driver of an angkot (public minivan) failed to control his speeding vehicle and crashed into a sand- laden truck on a bridge over the Jakarta-Merak toll road on Sunday evening, an officer said.

Chief of the Tangerang Traffic Unit, Sr. Insp. Safrudin, identified the victims as driver Mujiono, 24, and passengers Dwi Yani Astuti, Miang and Lila Nurlila.

Based upon preliminary investigations, the 9 p.m. accident was due solely to Mujiono's careless driving of the B-07 angkot which plies the Binong - Perumnas Karawaci route, Safrudin said.

"We also call on the truck driver to turn himself in," the officer said, referring to the unidentified truck driver, who left the scene immediately after the accident.

Passenger Wardi recalled that Mujiono had been driving the vehicle recklessly ever since they left Binong.

"I heard two (female) passengers screaming seconds before the accident," Wardi said while still receiving medical treatment at the Qadr Hospital.

The angkot was packed with 13 passengers at the time.

According to officer Safrudin, Mujiono -- driving at high speed -- intended to overtake a car in front of him but then saw a 15-cm median on his right.

"He then took the left lane but lost control of the vehicle and slammed his angkot into the rear end of the truck, which was stopped due to a traffic jam," he said.

Mujiono suffered serious head injuries. (41/bsr)