Reckless Driver Arrested in Central Jakarta After Dangerous Driving Spree, Passengers Remain Calm
A Toyota Calya driver with initials HM (25) was apprehended after driving recklessly against traffic and colliding with several vehicles on Gunung Sahari Road in Central Jakarta. Residents reported that the driver appeared dazed and unresponsive when arrested at the scene.
“The driver remained at the wheel. I saw it myself—there was no resistance. He barely spoke to anyone, didn’t say anything. He seemed like someone who was overwhelmed, like he was in shock,” said Wawa (53), a resident of RT 10 RW 04, Kelurahan Pasar Baru, who witnessed the incident on Thursday (26 February).
Wawa stated that police immediately secured the driver. Three passengers were taken to a police patrol vehicle. The female passenger in the front seat appeared calm despite the chaotic situation, whilst the female passenger in the rear showed signs of panic as crowds gathered.
“What struck me was that the woman in the front didn’t seem scared at all—she was calm, using her phone. Even in the police car, she was on her phone. These people seemed really calm, not in shock at all,” Wawa observed.
Frangky (58), another witness, was resting near the Ciliwung River embankment when he heard police warning shots and rushed to the scene. He witnessed crowds hitting and throwing objects at the black vehicle and helped restrain the mob to prevent violence.
“My main concern as a resident was to prevent loss of life and excessive violence. I wanted to protect them from being attacked by the mob,” Frangky explained.
The incident occurred on Wednesday (23 February) in the afternoon. Police suspect HM attempted to flee after becoming aware of fake licence plates and sharp weapons in the vehicle.
Dirlantas (Traffic Directorate) commander of Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Komarudin, revealed that the vehicle contained four sets of licence plates, including the one in use, along with two sharp weapons and a toy gun.
“We found four sets of different licence plates—three pairs plus one in use—in the vehicle. We also discovered two sharp weapons and one toy gun,” said Komarudin on Thursday (26 February).
Police believe this discovery prompted the driver to flee. The driver recklessly sped through congested roads in the wrong direction, colliding with multiple vehicles across three road segments.
HM has been designated as a suspect and charged under Article 311 of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Road Transport (LLAJ). The charge carries potential penalties of up to four years imprisonment for dangerous driving that endangers other road users.