Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir, KOTABARI.COM –
A tragic accident involving a Toyota Rush bearing license plate B 2473 POZ and a Honda Beat motorcycle occurred on Benakat Minyak Road, Talang Ubi District, PALI Regency, South Sumatra, claiming two lives and leaving another hospitalized. The incident took place on Sunday (12/24/2023) at 3:00 PM local time.
Citra Kirana (13) and her younger sibling Aura (7), both students from Sungai Baung Village, Talang Ubi District, PALI Regency, tragically lost their lives at the scene. Meanwhile, Bening (14), another victim, is currently undergoing intensive treatment at a hospital in Palembang.
Allegedly, the driver of the Toyota Rush, Topandri, who is also identified as the Chairman of the KPU (General Election Commission) of Lubuklinggau City, was involved in the accident. Reports suggest that the collision occurred due to the high speed at which the vehicle was traveling and a lack of attention to the road conditions.
AKP Kukuh Fefrianto, the Head of Traffic at PALI Regional Police, mentioned that the Toyota Rush, driven by Topandri, was heading from the junction of 5 Talang Ubi toward Lubuk Linggau. During its passage through Benakat Minyak Village, it collided with the Honda Beat motorcycle driven by Citra from the opposite direction.
Furthermore, on-site investigations indicated that the accident site was on a straight road with inclines and declines. Evidence, including the Honda Beat motorcycle and the Toyota Rush, has been secured for further investigation purposes.
As of now, the case remains under investigation with ongoing examinations of witnesses. Topandri himself confirmed the incident and stated that he is seeking reconciliation with the families involved through restorative justice (RJ) measures.
While two victims have been handed over to their families and laid to rest, one victim continues to receive intensive care at the hospital. The police are conducting further analyses to determine the exact cause of this devastating accident.