Train crash suspects face possible 5-year sentence

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

Two suspects in a weekend train collision that injured at least 46 people were charged under Article 360 of the Criminal Code, Bogor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bambang Sugeng said on Monday.

The article stipulates that a person who causes severe injury to others due to his or her negligence could be sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment.

"Currently we are investigating whether the action was deliberate or just the result of negligence," he said.

The collision occurred on Saturday when commuter train No. 490 traveling between Jakarta and Bogor smashed into the rear of train No. 488, also on the same route.

Witnesses said that suspect Darwin pulled the train's emergency brake for no particular reason.

Darwin, a resident of Tajur Halang subdistrict in Bogor, said that he did not intend to pull the brake cord and was shocked by his own action.

Police also named Edi Siswanto, driver of train No. 490, as a suspect because he should have stopped the train when he saw the red light blinking at the rear of train No. 488 in front of him shortly after it stopped.

Both suspects, who are being detained at the police station, refused to comment.