A British tourist is facing up to a decade behind bars after a woman he allegedly struck while pulling a wheelie died in hospital in Thailand.
The 22-year-old had been riding a rented scooter while doing a stunt using just one wheel when he slammed into Jurairat Petchraksa, 49, outside a bar in Pattaya.
CCTV footage shows the local female rider being thrown across the ground from the impact, where she was left lying in a pool of blood near her pink Honda Scoopy-i scooter at around 11pm on August 14 in the Soi Bong Koch 8 area of the city.
Police arrived at the scene minutes later and gave the woman CPR before rushing her to hospital where she was left unconscious and in critical condition.
The mother-of-two passed away on Sunday afternoon.
Local news outlet Thaiger said that the man had reportedly initially refused to accept responsibility for the crash, prompting anger from locals who claim to have witnessed him performing the scooter trick.
Dramatic footage following the incident showed the young man’s friends seemingly explaining what had happened before the unrest exploded into a massive street fight between the tourists and enraged locals.
The Brits were chased up the street and attacked by a handful of people who had crowded the chaotic scene.
Mother-of-two, Jurairat Petchraksa, 49, died on Sunday after she was allegedly struck by a 22-year-old who had been doing a wheelie on a rented scooter in Pattaya, Thailand
The British man who allegedly crashed into the woman could be seen on the ground near her scooter following the incident
CCTV footage captured the 22-year-old performing the stunt moments before the incident
The man’s friends were seemingly explaining what had happened before the unrest exploded into a massive street fight between the tourists and enraged locals
The British tourist who reportedly crashed into the woman was also seen lying on the ground near to the scene of the incident, and appeared to have an object thrown at him as the brawl broke out.
He was marched down to the police station following the chaos but has since been released from custody.
His passport, however, has been seized by authorities to prevent him from leaving the country.
A rescue officer from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation today confirmed the Thai woman’s death.
He said: ‘Yes, she has passed away at the hospital. We only transported her there.’
Jurairat’s friends paid tribute to her online. He funeral was held on Tuesday.
Janeji said: ‘Jurairat was like a mother to me. She was everyone’s friend. I can only pray that she is in heaven now and not suffering.
‘I hope that there will be justice for what happened to her. She did not harm anyone, there was no reason for her to die like that. She was everyone’s angel.’
Police Lieutenant Colonel Itthiporn Tangchuthaveesap from the Pattaya City Police Station earlier said the Brit allegedly admitted to reckless driving and had compensated Jurairat’s family with £682 for medical expenses.
With the case in Thailand, the tourist was initially facing charges of reckless driving causing serious injury, which is punishable with up to three years in jail, a fine of up to £1,370, or both.
But following Jurairat’s death, the charge is expected to be upgraded to reckless driving causing death, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to £4,550, or both.
Punches and kicks were launched at the Brits, who were then chased up the street by a handful of people who had crowded the chaotic scene
The British tourist who allegedly crashed into the woman was also seen lying on the ground near to the scene of the incident, and appeared to have an object thrown at him
Crowds of locals and tourists were seen looking at the female’s pink Honda Scoopy-i scooter
CCTV footage shows the local female rider being thrown across the ground from the impact, where she was left lying in a pool of blood near her pink Honda Scoopy-i scooter at around 11pm on August 14 in the Soi Bong Koch 8 area of the city
The driver is also liable to pay compensation for damages to the victim or their family under civil law.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Itthiporn added: ‘More evidence and witness statements are now needed for this case. The suspect was not under the influence of alcohol or any kind of drugs but he admitted causing the accident.
‘We are waiting for a full forensic report from the hospital into the injuries and the cause of death. The suspect will not be allowed to leave Thailand.’
Tourists are regularly attacked or caught up in crime and alcohol-related chaos, leading Pattaya to be dubbed ‘Sin City’.
Embarrassed officials in the central government have launched tourism initiatives to attract families and rebrand Pattaya as a safe destination. Authorities have also introduced safety measures, such as improved lighting and CCTV.
Despite some success in cleaning up the town’s image, alcohol and sex remain its biggest draws, often leading to a high rate of crime and accidents.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .