A 56-year-old woman on a trip to make merit at 9 temples in Chiang Mai was struck and killed while crossing the road at a zebra crossing. Witnesses said the sedan did not stop and crashed into her, killing her immediately.

On August 12, 2024, Mae Faek Police Station officers in Chiang Mai Province received a report of a car accident involving a pedestrian crossing the road opposite the Chedi Mae Krua Market, Mae Faek Mai Subdistrict, San Sai District, near the zebra crossing.

They rushed to the scene along with rescue workers from Mae Faek Subdistrict Municipality.

They found a silver Toyota sedan with Chiang Mai license plates badly damaged, with the front windshield shattered, and a woman on the roof of the car.

She had no pulse, and her right arm and leg had bones protruding. Rescue workers brought her down to perform CPR before rushing her to San Sai Hospital, where she later died.

The deceased was identified as Ms. Isaree, or “Jay La,” 56, who owned her own business and opened a grocery store in downtown Chiang Mai.

According to Thai media, Ms. Isaree and 20 others had just returned from merit-making at nine temples in Chiang Mai.

They were heading to Chedi Mae Krua Fresh Market when the accident happened. When they got to the zebra crossing, they waited for traffic to stop and crossed with Ms. Lsaree out front. She passed the car on the left land that was stopped but was immediately struck by a sedan that failed to stop in the right lane.

According to locals in the area, the zebra crossing is extremely dangerous despite warning signs to traffic to reduce speed. A local business owner said they had petitioned the city to build an overpass or put a traffic light at the zebra crossing because it was a high-traffic area.

Chiang Mai police have charged the driver of the Toyota with failing to stop at a zebra crossing and reckless driving, causing death.