One police officer was killed and another badly injured after a pickup truck crashed into their motorcycle during a chase along Street 151 in Phnom Penh on Saturday.
The victims were among eight police officers who were chasing four vehicles loaded with illegal timber, according to Prek Pnov district police chief Chhin Kemthuy.
The pickup, a Toyota Tundra, struck one of the police motorbikes from behind. Police believe that the Tundra’s driver was an associate of the timber traffickers. The driver remains at large.
Sao Samnang, second lieutenant and chief of staff at the Prek Pnov district police station, died instantly, while chief warrant officer Kao Seangheng was injured and sent to Calmette Hospital.
The incident took place at the border of Prek Pnov district and Mkak commune in Kandal province’s Ang Snuol district.
“After crashing into the authorities forcefully, the vehicle escaped,” Kemthuy said. “However, our authorities will search for the suspect and bring them to justice.”
Victim Sao Samnang is at least the third person killed by suspects affiliated with illegal logging in recent weeks.
