A chain-reaction crash occurred last Friday on Jalan Jamin Ginting in Sibolangit, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. A mineral water truck that suffered brake failure hit nine other vehicles, killing four people and injuring eight others.
The chain-reaction crash involved one large truck, two Colt Diesel trucks, five minibuses and one motorcycle. The incident occurred around 10.30 WIB when the mineral water truck was traveling from Bandar Baru toward Medan.
Police have detained the truck driver, identified only as I and aged 50. He is being questioned at Polsek Pancur Batu. Medan police chief Kombes Pol Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak said all victims have been evacuated and the investigation continues.
The deceased have been identified as Heppi Sitinjak, Dinaria Manik, Samsir Sitinjak and Anton Simorangkir. Eight injured victims are being treated at Puskesmas Sibolangit and RSUP H Adam Malik Medan. Personnel from Polrestabes Medan and Ditlantas Polda Sumut quickly evacuated casualties and managed traffic on the Medan-Berastagi route.
Anton Simorangkir, a Bandar Baru resident riding the motorcycle, was on his way to pick up his child from school. He was known as a photocopy and mobile phone shop owner who often shared family moments on social media.