A Poipet resident is due in court today after military police arrested him over the fatal hit-and-run of a 10-year-old boy in Stung Treng province.

According to authorities, the suspect, Chan Changchhing, 30, was driving a Range Rover from Preah Vihear to Stung Treng when Ouch Orn tried to cross the street in Veal Denh village.

The boy was hit and killed instantly, and Changchhing sped off, police said.

“Military and military police chased him for us after people reported the incident to them,” said Nav Vanny, director of traffic police in Stung Treng province.

Changchhing was apprehended 30 kilometres from the scene after authorities set up a roadblock.

Vanny said Changchhing denied being involved but that authorities decided to send him to court based on witness reports and evidence.

Drivers often flee the scene of accidents to avoid prosecution, while others fear the violence of mob justice.

Hit-and-runs incidents accounted for about 42 per cent of all fatal crashes between 2007 and 2012, according to data from Handicap International, which works on road safety issues.