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Truck driver named suspect in fatal North Sumatra crash
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Truck driver named suspect in fatal North Sumatra crash

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Police have named the truck driver, Ilham (50), as a suspect in a fatal crash that killed four people.
  • The truck, carrying water gallons, collided with eight vehicles in Sibolangit, North Sumatra.
  • Ilham faces charges under the Road Traffic and Transportation Law for negligence leading to death.

Authorities have identified Ilham, a 50-year-old truck driver, as the suspect in a deadly collision that claimed four lives and injured eight others in Sibolangit, North Sumatra. The incident occurred when the truck Ilham was driving, loaded with water gallons, crashed into eight other vehicles. Ilham has been detained at the Medan Police headquarters to face charges. He is being prosecuted under Article 310 Paragraph (4) of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation, for alleged negligence that resulted in fatalities. Police stated that the suspect designation followed the collection of evidence, witness interviews, and analysis of CCTV footage from the scene. The crash happened on Friday, July 17, 2026, around 10:30 AM on Jalan Jamin Ginting. The truck was traveling from Karo towards Medan when it lost control on a busy road, causing a severe pile-up. The four deceased victims were identified as Heppi Sitinjak (60), Dinaria Manik (60), Samsir Sitinjak (30), and Anton Simorangkir. Eight others sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals and health centers. The accident caused a complete traffic standstill as the wreckage blocked the road.

Yes, he has been named a suspect and detained. The co-driver is still being questioned.

— AKBP Sri Lestari WidodoThe Head of the Medan Police Traffic Unit confirmed the suspect designation and detention of the truck driver.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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