PHNOM PENH: The family of Kuoch Limhan, who was killed in a traffic collision in Phnom Penh last month, has withdrawn a civil complaint against the accused driver, Sam Meychou, after receiving civil compensation from her family. The criminal case against the suspect will continue.
The agreement was reached on August 6, through an out-of-court settlement signed by both parties.
Under the agreement, Oknha Tong Hok Seng, the father of Meychou, paid S$60,000 in civil compensation to the victim’s widow.
Seung Kimhor, who filed the civil claim on behalf of the family, was also a party to the agreement.
The agreement was witnessed by commune chief Kong Sekleng and lawyer Phon Thearin.
According to the settlement, both parties agreed to resolve the dispute “amicably”. In exchange for the compensation payment, the victim’s family agreed to withdraw its complaint in criminal case No. 4396, dated July 31, 2026, and filed with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
The agreement states that neither party will pursue any additional claims or demands and that the dispute has been resolved through mutual understanding and goodwill.
However, the civil settlement does not affect the criminal proceedings.
The criminal case against Meychou — who is accused of fatally striking Limhan, an official with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s construction laboratory, in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district on the night of July 28 — will continue.
Meychou allegedly crossed the centreline while overtaking a car and struck Limhan’s motorcycle. The victim, who was reportedly returning home with milk for his young daughter, was killed instantly.
Video from the scene showed Meychou and a friend leaving the scene in a tuk tuk, while Limhan’s body lay on the rain-soaked street.
She was arrested on the afternoon of July 30, after handing herself in to the authorities.
On July 31, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced that she had been charged with causing a fatal traffic accident and fleeing the scene.
In a statement issued the same day, the court said that, after questioning the accused and reviewing the evidence, the investigating judge ordered her to be placed in pre-trial detention. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
