A romantic evening turned tragic for a Russian couple in Pattaya when a speeding motorcycle struck them as they crossed the street hand in hand, leading to the husband's instant death and leaving his wife critically injured. The heartbreaking accident occurred just before midnight on January 29, 2025, on Jomtien Second Road.
The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit received the emergency call at 11:30 p.m., indicating the collision between a large motorcycle and pedestrians in the Nong Prue subdistrict of the Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. When emergency responders arrived, they found the dramatic scene with a damaged KTM 1200cc motorcycle bearing Bangkok registration plates.
The rider, 26-year-old Artem, sustained serious injuries, just like the couple. Zhanna, 44, was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries, but her husband lay unconscious on the pavement. Despite attempts at CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An eyewitness, 34-year-old Akadej, shared his experience with police, recounting how he had stopped his car to let the couple cross the road. He described the moment he heard the roar of the motorcycle speeding toward them, too late to prevent the tragedy. Within moments, the motorcycle plowed through the couple, sending them sprawling across the road.
The Pattaya City Police Station’s Dong Tan subdivision officers are currently examining CCTV footage of the collision. They are awaiting the recovery of Artem to question him about the incident. The seriousness of this incident is underscored by the fact it is not isolated; earlier this month, another pedestrian was also struck by a motorcyclist on the same street, raising concerns about road safety.
Following the recent spate of accidents, local authorities are under pressure to address the safety issues contributing to these tragic events. The social media account We Love Police Checkpoints highlighted this dangerous crossing, posting dashcam footage and expressing dismay about the lack of compliance with traffic signals. Their caption lamented, "The same spot where the eye doctor was hit. Red light means nothing," hinting at repeated neglect of traffic regulations at this location.
The tragic accident has sparked conversations about how often similar incidents come to light—numerous cases where pedestrians find themselves at the mercy of speeding motorcycles and inattentive drivers. Many residents are concerned about the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and protective measures for pedestrians.
With the investigation still underway, the community is mourning the loss of the husband and wishing for the recovery of Zhanna. Friends and family of the couple have voiced their concerns for their well-being and have begun to gather support for the grieving wife.
This accident serves as yet another grim reminder of the journeys faced by pedestrians on busy roads and the urgent need for increased enforcement of traffic safety measures. Cities like Pattaya continue to grapple with how to balance the influx of tourists with ensuring safe travel for all—an endeavor becoming all the more urgent as such tragic accidents occur.