One person died and four others suffered injuries after two vehicles crashed along National Road 6 in Chrouk commune, Pouk district, Siem Reap province. The accident caused the drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash into two nearby houses.

District police chief Tep Pumsen told The Post on Thursday that a “horrifying” traffic accident happened on Wednesday.

Reth Sarith, 27, the driver of a lorry delivering ice died on the spot. He hailed from Lvea commune in Puok district. Sok Yeang Phearuth, 17, the other driver who was delivering fish and his passenger, Chun Rothy, 27, were injured.

Villagers Hang Vireak, 29 and Nat Channa, 27 sustained serious and minor injuries respectively. After the incident, the police took the victims to Puok Referral Hospital and contacted relatives of the deceased. Both vehicles were taken to the Puok district police office.

“This accident was caused by the driver delivering fish after his right front tire exploded and he lost control of his vehicle. He crashed into the ice lorry that was travelling from the opposite direction. The two houses involved were destroyed.

“Meanwhile, Phearuth and Rothy are being treated at Puok Referral Hospital under the guard of our police officers who are waiting to question them,” Pumsen said.

Villager Vireak’s father Hang Roeung, 60, told The Post on Thursday that he would not file a complaint if the driver agreed to compensate him for house damage, materials and the treatment of his son.

The 5.5m by 7m house was damaged almost entirely, Roeung said. “I just want a suitable compensation of $10,000 to treat my son, fix the house and buy other materials that were damaged and I don’t want to sue,” he said.

Similarly, Choun Len, 34, who is the husband of the victim Nat Channa, 27, the owner of a 4m by 5m house, said he wanted a peaceful solution and compensation of $5,000 to fix the house and treat his wife.

According to Article 41 of the traffic road law, a person with the right to drive a family car with nine seats must be 18 years old or more and they have to hold a type B licence. A lorry driver must be 22 years old and hold a type C licence.

National Road Safety Committee spokesman Chhuon Von told The Post that according to the report, the driver delivering fish was in the wrong since he is only 17 years old.

“The offence cannot be forgiven because he caused the accident,” he said.

He called on drivers to respect and follow traffic laws and drive their vehicles with great responsibility.