Reckless driver was likely on drugs

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police revealed on Monday that traces of methamphetamine had been found in the urine sample of a motorist who plowed into a group of Sunday morning joggers on Jl. Sudirman, indicating that he may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.

Four people were killed in the accident and at least three others were injured.

"Methamphetamine is a substance for making, among other things, ecstasy," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Monday.

Besides being used to make ecstasy, methamphetamine can also be used to treat obesity.

"We will charge him under Article 359 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates a maximum of five years in prison for manslaughter.

"However, if it's proven that he was under the influence of drugs, we will probably press multiple charges under Law No. 5/1997 on psychotropic substances," Prasetyo said.

The driver, Raden Aradea Kusumah Diningrat (not Raden Andreas Kusumadiningrat as initially reported), was allegedly speeding from his house in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang, to pick up a friend at 6:30 a.m.

The accident took place at about 6:10 a.m. in front of the Bung Karno Sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Police investigator Second Adj. Insp. D. Bintoro said on Monday that the family of one of the fatalities, Suyatmo, 34, learned about his death from Monday's newspapers. Suyatmo of Palmerah, West Jakarta, was the last to be identified.

Bintoro said the investigators had questioned witnesses and Aradea, who is a father of one child and works as a technician.

One of the injured, Yudi Wicaksono, 27, whose left arm was broken in the accident, appeared at police headquarters with his eight-month pregnant wife Lucy. Lucy was with her husband when the accident occurred.

"It was a miracle that nothing bad happened to me," Lucy said, adding that she was the first one to be hit by the car.

"We had just arrived at the scene to have a bit of a morning walk as I'm expecting our first child," she said. "I just got off our parked motorcycle when suddenly the car careered into us. I fell, and later I saw several others, including my husband, fall," she added.

Yudi and Lucy said Aradea's family had promised to cover all medical costs for Yudi's broken arm, as well as for any subsequent treatment.