Four killed in Tangerang accident

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)