Two people were killed and seven injured yesterday when a container truck overturned on top of a car in Kampong Speu province, according to police and witnesses.

Suos Un, deputy chief of Phnom Sruoch district police, said the accident occurred at around 6am yesterday when the two vehicles were driving from Preah Sihanouk province to Phnom Penh on National Road 4.

According to Un, the car’s driver, 44-year-old Ros Moniroath, told police that the accident occurred after the truck attempted to overtake him, but crashed into his hood, causing the car to veer off of the road.

The container then turned over on top of the car, and the truck driver fled the scene, he said.

“However, we have only had testimony from one side. Now we are searching for the driver so we can question him.”

Two people – 52-year-old Pun Seak and 25-year-old Choeun Da – were killed in the crash, while seven others, including four young children, were injured.

Moniroath said 10 of his family members were in the car.

“My female cousin Choeun Da died because she tried to protect her son, who is 1 years old, and my other cousin, Pan Seak, died because she protected her granddaughter who is 3 years old, because they were in the back,” he said.

“I haven’t thought about filing a complaint yet because I’m busy with the funerals.”