Drink-driving tycoon indicted but escapes murder chargeSomchai Werotepipat, 57, a business tycoon involved in a drink-driving accident that killed a police officer and his wife, was ordained as a novice monk as part of his merit-making for the Ngamsuwittchakun couple on April 19, 2019. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)A business tycoon involved in a drink-driving accident that killed a police officer and his wife, and injured their daughter, has been indicted in the Talingchan Court, which has set July 31 for the delivery of the verdict, according to media reports. The police officer and his wife were killed in the accident, which took place in Bangkok's Thawi Watthana district. Police initially charged the tycoon with murder and attempted murder, which carry severe penalties, citing the grave consequences of the accident caused by drink-driving. The prosecutors dropped the murder and attempted murder charges proposed by the police, reasoning that the factors surrounding the accident did not justify them.

Source: Bangkok Post June 30, 2019 10:54 UTC