Survivors recount the split-second moments of deadly crash on the Cipularang Toll Road

Survivors of a deadly multi-vehicle crash on the Cipularang Toll Road toward Jakarta have recounted the split-second moments of the incident, which involved ten vehicles and left two dead. At the time, traffic was congested.

‘Stations during the journey were initially smooth. When we entered the toll road it suddenly became congested and all vehicles stopped. The car I was driving had already stopped, but suddenly a car hit from behind,’ said Soleh Muslim at the scene on Thursday night, 5 March 2026.

Soleh explained that suddenly something hit his car from behind. He said the car he was driving was jolted several times by the force of the impact from behind.

‘The car I was in was hit three times. Once I was jolted, then hit again and jolted again. I had given up by then,’ he said.

Another survivor, Ryan, said that traffic was heavy due to the slowdown, but suddenly there were several loud crashes from behind, and his car was struck as well.

‘We were stopped; the traffic was heavy. Behind me, I heard loud crashes,’ Ryan said.

Meanwhile Cahya, the container truck driver, admitted that the vehicle he was driving experienced brake failure.

‘Yes, I am the driver; brake failure,’ Cahya said briefly as he was escorted by officers toward a police car.

Head of the Traffic Unit of Purwakarta Police, AKP Enggar Jati Nugroho, said the accident was suspected to be caused by the truck’s brake failure.

‘Suspected initial cause is brake failure in the container truck,’ Enggar said on the Cipularang Toll Road.

Enggar said the container truck had problems with its braking system. As a result, the truck’s speed was uncontrolled and it struck the vehicles in front.

Panji Satriya, Head of Marketing and Communication Department, Jasamarga Metropolitan Toll Road Regional Division, said the accident occurred at 20:18 WIB. The accident had been handled by the police.

‘The incident involved ten vehicles and rendered all lanes impassable. It is still being dealt with by field officers,’ Panji said in a statement.

Based on temporary statements from officers on the scene, two people died and four were seriously injured. All victims have been evacuated to Radjak Purwakarta Hospital for further treatment.