Bus Driver Who Entered The Abyss In Tasikmalaya Becomes A Suspect

A number of officers evacuate the victims of a tourism bus accident that was buried under the ground at the bottom of a ravine in the Rajapolah area, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java, Monday (27/6/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Basarnas)

TASIKMALAYA - The Tasikmalaya City Police have determined that a tourist bus driver who had an accident fell into a ravine, causing four passengers to die on the national road in the Rajapolah area, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java.

"We have determined the driver of the tourist bus driver who had an accident at the Rajapolah TKP as a suspect," said Tasikmalaya City Police Chief AKBP Aszhari Kurniawan, quoted by Antara, Monday, June 27.

Suspect Dedi Kurnia (42) driver of the PO City Trans Utama tourism bus number B-7701-TGA who had a single accident on Jalan Raya Rajapolah, Kampung Cireundeu, Manggungsari Village, Rajapolah District, Tasikmalaya, Saturday (25/6) early morning.

The bus driver, said the police chief, was suspected of being negligent or deliberately carrying out his driving duties, namely the driver was tired and sleepy, but still forced himself to drive the bus.

"There was an element of intentionality when he found out he was tired and sleepy but the driver forced himself to drive," he said.

The bus driver was charged with Article 331 of the Highway Transport Traffic Act and Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic with a penalty of 15 years in prison.

"This violates Article 331 of the LLAJ Law with a threat of 15 years in prison," said the Police Chief.

Previously, the tourism bus carrying 62 group passengers from SDN Sayang, Jatinangor, Sumedang Regency was about to travel to Pangandaran Regency.

However, on the way there was an accident in Cirendeu Village, Manggungsari Village, Rajapolah District, Tasikmalaya, causing four people to die and other victims to be injured.

The tourist bus driver admitted that he was sleepy and then drove uncontrollably until he finally entered a 10-meter deep abyss with the bus body upside down.