The Siem Reap Provincial Court has placed a man in pre-trial detention on a murder charge following the death of a pedestrian who was struck twice in a hit-and-run in Siem Reap town.

Sok Meng Eang, director of the provincial police’s serious crimes bureau, said the suspect – a 25-year-old resident of Slakram commune in Siem Reap town – was arrested on March 19 for the death of Hoeurn Lon, a 32-year-old resident of Tros commune in Svay Rieng province’s Romeas Hek district.

“According to witnesses – and evidence collected from the scene – the suspect hit the victim once, causing serious injuries. He then reversed over him, killing him instantly,” he said.

He added that before fleeing the scene, the suspect told residents who witnessed the tragic incident that he was not at fault.

Meng Eang said the serious crime bureau launched an investigation to seek justice for the victim and arrested the suspect for referral to court two days later.

On March 20, Investigating Judge Sin Sangha ordered the suspect placed in pre-trial detention on charges of “murder” under Article 199 of the Criminal Code. The suspect confessed that he had initially hit the victim because he was drunk but had not intended to reverse over him.

According to a Judicial Police report seen by The Post, the suspect said that on the day of the incident, he had drunk beers with friends. While driving home, he hit a man who he said was walking carelessly on the road.

The report said the suspect told police that he intended to take the victim to hospital. But due to the darkness of the night, he could not see clearly and ran over the victim. Fearing that the villagers would use mob violence against him, he fled the scene.