Police Patrol Car Crashes into Civilians in East Sumba, Driver Identified as Local Police Chief
A police patrol vehicle belonging to the East Sumba Police District suddenly lost control, colliding with civilians and a workshop in Waingapu town, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Notably, the Dmax-type official vehicle was being driven by Waingapu Police Chief, Iptu Rauta Ubini Kuri.
East Sumba Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Gede Harimbawa, explained that the incident occurred when the patrol car, driven by the police chief, was passing the location after attending Sunday mass.
“The vehicle crashed into a roadside workshop,” Gede said on Monday, 25 May 2026.
Six civilians sustained injuries, two of whom suffered fractured legs and required medical treatment at Lindimara Christian Hospital in Waingapu.
The accident happened around 10:40 WITA on D.I Panjaitan Street, Matawai Village, Waingapu District.
At the same time, a motorcycle ridden by Yudiwanto Edi and his wife attempted to overtake from the left side of the patrol vehicle. However, the motorcycle is believed to have touched the left rear tyre of the patrol car, causing it to lose control.
“The incident began when the motorcyclist attempted to overtake the official vehicle from the left, hitting the left rear tyre of the Dmax patrol car, resulting in loss of control, veering off the road, and mounting the pavement,” he said.
In addition to hitting pedestrians, the vehicle also struck another motorcyclist before coming to a stop after colliding with a roadside workshop.
“As a result, six people sustained injuries and were evacuated to Lindimara Christian Hospital for medical treatment,” he added.
Victims included Yudiwanto Edi with a fractured right leg, his wife Muhaeni A. Waluwandja who experienced shock, Dominikus Doko with a fractured right leg, Abdul Kadir and Ronaldo Doko with minor injuries, and Melkianus Bulu Pagege Wola with abrasions.
Following the incident, the East Sumba Police Chief visited the victims at the hospital. Police are still investigating to determine the exact cause of the patrol car accident.