Two TransJakarta bus drivers are in police custody following a head-on collision in South Jakarta on Monday that injured 24 passengers, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. Local time on the ‘jalur langit’ (skyway) bus lane in Cipulir, Kebayoran Lama, according to a statement from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police. One bus, a Bianglala route vehicle traveling from Kebayoran to Cipulir, was driven by a man identified only by the initial Y. The other, a Mayasari Bakti bus heading in the opposite direction, was operated by a driver identified as A.
Police have secured both drivers for questioning at the Pancoran Sub-Directorate of Traffic Law Enforcement (Gakkum), stated Police Commissioner Budi Hermanto, the Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police. “We have secured the two people, the TransJakarta bus drivers, at the Pancoran Gakkum Sub-Directorate,” Hermanto told reporters.
Preliminary investigations suggest that driver Y admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, causing his bus to veer into the opposing lane and collide with the oncoming vehicle. “Y admitted to falling asleep although driving, causing his vehicle to enter the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision,” said AKBP Ojo Ruslani, Head of the Traffic Law Enforcement Sub-Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.
Authorities are considering charges under Article 310 Paragraph 2 of the Indonesian Traffic and Road Transportation Law, which carries a potential sentence of one year in prison for negligence resulting in minor injuries. “The suspect could be charged under Article 310 Paragraph 2 of the Traffic and Road Transportation Law due to the fact that of negligence causing an accident and resulting in minor injuries, with a threat of one year in prison,” Hermanto explained.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not yet announced a final determination of fault.