T

eguh Hadi, 30, came all the way from the town of Jepara, Central Java, along with his wife, his son, and three other relatives to visit his parents in Jakarta and enjoy sightseeing tours around the big city during the Chinese New Year’s long weekend.

A relative from Bogor also joined the group for the tour.

The family was just returning from a visit to the National Monument Park on Sunday when their weekend vacation turned into a tragedy, which many people say highlights the reckless driving behavior among Jakartans and the widespread use of drugs among the city’s young residents.

A black Daihatsu Xenia swerved off Jl. M.I. Ridwan Rais in Central Jakarta, while traveling at around 100 kilometers per hour and plowed into everyone in Teguh’s group, plus another six pedestrians, killing nine of them.

Teguh’s aunt, 51-year-old Suyatmi, and his 18-year-old niece, Nur Alfi Fitriasih, died on the spot. His 2.5-year-old son Yusuf Sigit and his sister Nani Riyani, 23, who was three months pregnant, died later at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital.

Three other pedestrians also died at the scene, while the other two died in the hospital.

Teguh, his wife Siti Mukaromah and his 8-year-old nephew Kenny were injured and are still receiving treatment at the hospital. Siti had to undergo an operation to repair her ruptured spleen, while Teguh suffered from minor head concussion.

“I still feel dizzy most of the time. The doctor told me I have to rest, but how can I do that? Who will take care of my wife and family?” Teguh said on Monday, as reported by
kompas.com.

Police have named the driver of the vehicle, 28-year-old Apriyani Susanti, as a suspect for causing the death of nine people. Apriyani was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash, a police laboratory test confirmed on Sunday.

Apriyani’s three friends, who were traveling with her in the car, have also been named as suspects for drug abuse.

“We found methamphetamine, a substance usually found in crystal meth, and ecstasy in their urine samples,” Jakarta Police narcotics chief Sr. Comr. Nugroho Aji told reporters on Monday afternoon.

Apriyani’s three friends were identified as Adestina Putri, 29, Denny Mulyana, 30, and Arisandi, 34.

Nugroho said that, following
further investigation, police had concluded that all four had consumed ecstasy pills prior to the horrific accident.

Jakarta has become a hotbed for drug dealing with authorities having made scores of major drug busts, despite the continuing crackdown on smuggling and distribution of various drugs.

According to Nugroho, the four suspects have been charged under the 2009 Narcotics Law for narcotics abuse and may face up to four years’ imprisonment if found guilty.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said that Apriyani would also face charges under the 2009 Traffic Law for causing a fatal traffic accident, not having a valid driver’s license or registration, and not concentrating while driving. Apriyani may face up to six years in prison, along with a fine of Rp 12 million (US$1,344), if found guilty.

Apart from Suyatmi, Nur, Yusuf, and Nani, the other five people who were killed were identified as: Buchari, 17; Firmansyah, 22; Muhammad Akbar, 17; Muhammad Hudzaifah, 16; and Wawan Hermawan, 17.

All five had just finished playing soccer at the National Monument Park and were on their way home.

Apriyani’s Twitter account, @siNengApril, was flooded with obscenities and swearwords in the accident’s aftermath. The account had been deactivated as of Monday evening. (mim)