Headline: Tragic Multi-Vehicle Crash in Surabaya: One Dead, Seven Injured, and Five Vehicles Damaged
Subhead: The sobering impact of drink driving: A 38-year-old suspect, Septian Uki Wijaya, faces up to 12 years in prison under Indonesian traffic laws.
Article:
A disturbing scene unfolded on the streets of Surabaya yesterday when a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, driven by 38-year-old Septian Uki Wijaya, plowed into several other vehicles, leaving one person dead and seven others injured. The collision resulted in extensive damage to five vehicles.
Akbar Arif, the Head of the Traffic Division at the Surabaya Police, revealed that the victims were a diverse group, including a teacher, a street sweeper, an elderly woman, an online motorcycle taxi driver, a child, and a university student.
"The deceased, Prasetyaningsih (63), was a street sweeper who was riding a motorized scooter at the time of the incident," Arif stated during a press conference at the Surabaya Police Headquarters. Other victims include Ahmad Ghozali (51), an online motorcycle taxi driver who suffered severe injuries to his head and shoulder, and Aisyah Amini (24), a university student who sustained minor injuries. They are both being treated at Haji Sukolilo Hospital.
Bella Eka Widyasari (29), a teacher, was also injured in the crash and is receiving treatment at SMS Hospital. Stevi Sanjaya (37), a stay-at-home mother, was critically injured and her condition remains grave. Jhin Wei Chung (69), a driver of a Toyota Avanza, suffered severe injuries and was thrown into a nearby river. His companions, Lania Wati (69) and Mathiew Joshua Njoto (10), sustained injuries as well.
The driver of the final vehicle involved, Pranata, a private sector employee, did not suffer any serious injuries but sustained property damage. Arif confirmed that Wijaya faces charges under Article 312, coupled with Article 321 of the Indonesian Traffic Law, which could result in a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.
Driving under the influence has once again proven to be deadly, impacting not only the perpetrator but also innocent lives. As the holiday season approaches, local authorities remind drivers to prioritize safety and refrain from drinking and driving.
