One killed, two others injured in car crash

JAKARTA (JP): A motorist died while her friends -- a woman and a South Korean man -- suffered serious injuries in a crash on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police said the driver of the Mazda 323 was believed to have sped and lost control before smashing into a tree of the median in front of Sahid Jaya Hotel at around 1:30 a.m.

The police identified the dead victim as Sri Wahyuni, 21, who died at the scene, while the injured were Ida Rusida and 40-year- old South Korean Nho No alias Paroh.

As of yesterday night it was still unclear as to who was driving the car. It could have been either Sri Wahyuni or Ida.

According to a doctor at Jakarta Hospital on Jl. Jend. Sudirman who gave the victims first aid, Ida suffered from a serious head injury, while the man fractured bones in his right hand.

Ida was transferred to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital last night together with Wahyuni's body. Paroh, who lived on Jl. Kicau in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, was still being given medical treatment at Jakarta Hospital.

According to taxi drivers at Sahid Jaya Hotel, Wahyuni's car was in the fast lane heading toward Jl. M. Thamrin at high speed before it swerved and smashed into the tree.

"The car spun around two or three times and stopped with its front facing the opposite direction," one of them said.

"All three passengers came out of the car by themselves. One of the women seemed badly injured and helplessly laid down. She did not react when her friends driving in different car came by to help her," another taxi driver said.

According to Wahyuni's friend Nana, the three were on their way to an entertainment center after attending a party at a karaoke bar on Jl. Melawai Raya, South Jakarta.

Nana said she, together with two other women and two Korean men, drove in another car behind Wahyuni's.

"Wahyuni and I worked at the same karaoke bar. I don't know where I can contact her family. She rented a room at the BNI housing complex on Jl. Haji Nawi, South Jakarta," Nana said without naming the karaoke bar.

Police said that Wahyuni, Nana, Ida and the other two women were karaoke guides at the "Ij" karaoke bar on Jl. Melawai Raya, while it was believed the Korean men frequented the venue.

Nana said she had just met the Korean men, who were able to speak Indonesian, that night. "They were Ida's friends," she said.

Police were still investigating the case. (cst/04)