An official who was allegedly drunk behind the wheel of a vehicle with state license plates has been formally charged after a late-night accident left two women dead.

Thorn Vannara, 55, deputy head of the Sen Sok District Land Office in Phnom Penh, has been formally charged of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing a fatal accident and fleeing the scene.

A spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s prosecution office said Vannara was apprehended shortly after attempting to flee following the June 8 accident.

The charges fall under Article 85 of the Road Traffic Law. The case has been forwarded to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court investigating judge for further proceedings.

The crash occurred at 11.40pm on Street 1019, near the intersection with Street 58P, in Sen Sok district’s Rong Chhak village, in Kok Khleang commune.

“The accident was caused by a Land Cruiser SUV with state license plate 17-2-0304. The driver, Vannara, was in a state of intoxication. His blood alcohol level measured 1.08 mg/L,” said the court spokesperson, on June 12.

The vehicle reportedly made a left turn across the road without yielding to oncoming traffic, leading to a collision with a Honda Click motorcycle, which hit the right front door of the SUV.

The motorcycle driver, Pov Ena, died at the scene. Her passenger, Pen Lin, was taken to hospital but passed away from her injuries.

After the crash, Vannara attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle but was apprehended by authorities shortly afterward.

During the first quarter of 2025, Cambodia recorded 543 traffic accidents, resulting in 348 deaths. According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, just 5 per cent of crashes were caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, while excessive speed accounted for 51 per cent.