Drunken Driver Arrested in Deadly Surabaya Crash; Faces up to 12 Years in Prison
Surabaya, Indonesia – Authorities have officially designated 38-year-old Septian Uki Wijaya (SUW) as the prime suspect in a fatal, alcohol-related multi-vehicle accident on Jalan Kenjeran Tuesday afternoon. The wreck claimed one life and left six others with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Akbar Arif, Chief of the Traffic Division at the Surabaya Metropolitan Police, announced SUW’s status at a press conference, stating, "SUW is officially designated as the main suspect (K1) for his role as the driver in this reckless and dangerous traffic incident."
Investigations, including comprehensive site inspections and witness statements, indicate that SUW was driving a black Mercy under the influence of alcohol. His actions were deemed intentional and posed a significant threat to both property and human life.
The collision caused severe damage to five vehicles: one motorcycle, one jet ski, and three cars, one of which landed in the river along Jalan Kenjeran. Authorities also suspected SUW of consuming narcotics, but lab tests yielded negative results and revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.16 mg/L.
For his actions, SUW faces charges under Articles 312 and 321 of the Road Traffic Law, with additional penalties under Articles 311, 2106, and 2107. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison.
One victim, 63-year-old Prasetyaningsih, who was operating a jet ski at the time of the crash, succumbed to her injuries Wednesday morning. She was employed as a street sweeper.
The case is ongoing, and police continue to investigate.
