0 Head-on collision kills eight in Sumedang

A speeding minivan collided head-on with a truck, killing eight people and wounding four others, in the Nyalindung area of Paseh district, Sumedang, West Java, on Wednesday. “The eight passengers [in the van] died at the site," West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompuk said as quoted by Antara news agency. 

Martinus said that the accident, which took place at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, was believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning of the truck's brakes. The truck, which was fully loaded with goods, suddenly suffered brake damaged and started to career down the road, he said. The minivan, which was traveling in the opposite direction, was carrying eight passengers. 

A collision was unavoidable and the van was dragged several meters along the road. Sumedang Police officers, assisted by local residents, recovered the bodies of the dead passengers, which have been taken to Sumedang General Hospital. “The police have detained the truck driver for questioning,” Martinus said, adding that the accident caused long traffic jams. (hhr)

source : the jakarta post