NAKHON RATCHASIMA – A 27-year-old student leader from Chiang Rai died instantly Thursday afternoon after her sedan veered off Mittraphap Road and slammed into a large tree in the center median. Local authorities suspect the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel while traveling through the Non Sung District of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene near the 192-193 kilometer marker to find a dark grey Mazda 2 with extensive front-end damage. The force of the impact crushed the vehicle’s cabin, trapping the driver inside. Rescue teams from the Hook 31 volunteer unit used hydraulic cutting tools for over 30 minutes to extract the victim from the wreckage.
The deceased was identified as Ms. Natthapat Liwlorprakul, a resident of Huai Chomphu in the Mueang Chiang Rai District. At the time of the accident, she was wearing a blue polo shirt embroidered with the words “Student Council.”
According to Pol. Lt. Col. Panya Prathum, an investigator at the Non Sung Police Station, said the victim suffered severe trauma to her head and limbs. “The impact was so severe that the driver’s side airbag deployed, but it was not enough to save her life,” the officer stated in an official report.
Police Suspect Driver Fatigue
Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed toward Nakhon Ratchasima city. Police found no skid marks on the pavement, leading investigators to believe there was no attempt to brake before the car left the roadway.
- Vehicle: Mazda 2, Dark Grey
- License Plate: Khor Thor 8116 (Loei province)
- Location: Mittraphap Road, Non Sung District
- Time of Incident: Approximately 2:00 PM, April 23, 2026
“We believe the driver may have been exhausted from a long-distance journey and experienced a ‘micro-sleep’ episode,” Pol. Lt. Col. Panya added. The body has been transported to Non Sung Hospital for a detailed autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death.
This stretch of Mittraphap Road is known for high traffic volumes and long straightaways that often contribute to driver fatigue. Local officials are urging motorists to take frequent breaks during long trips, especially when traveling between the northern and northeastern provinces.
Friends and family of Ms. Natthapat have been notified of the tragedy. Authorities are currently coordinating with her relatives to arrange for the return of her remains to Chiang Rai for funeral rites.
