Bogor toll gate crash
The deadly Bogor toll gate crash at the Ciawi exit left eight people dead and 11 injured late on February 4. The truck, carrying water jugs, lost control and slammed into waiting vehicles. Investigators believe brake failure caused the tragedy.
Truck Loses Control, Slams Into Vehicles
The Bogor toll gate crash happened just before midnight. The truck, reportedly en route to Jakarta, was approaching the toll booths when it suddenly lost control. Investigators believe the vehicle suffered brake failure, making it impossible for the driver to stop.
As it sped toward the booths, the truck smashed into several cars lined up to pay. The impact was devastating. Six vehicles were damaged, three of which caught fire. The flames engulfed the cars quickly, making it difficult for anyone inside to escape.
“All those who died were inside the vehicles struck by the truck,” said Bogor police chief Senior Commissioner Eko Prasetyo on February 5.
Victims and Survivors
Emergency responders arrived quickly, rushing the victims to Ciawi General Hospital. Out of the 11 injured, four suffered severe injuries due to the crash’s force. Seven others had minor injuries.
Among the wounded were four customer service officers from PT Jasa Marga, the state-owned company operating the toll road. They had been working at the toll booths when the truck crashed.
Ms. Sugiarti, one of the survivors, shared her heartbreaking story. She and her family were heading to Bekasi when their car stalled at the toll gate. Her husband, 41-year-old Yana Mulyana, got out to ask for help when disaster struck.
“My husband tried borrowing an e-money card from another driver when the truck hit us,” she told The Jakarta Post.
She recalled seeing him swept away by the truck as their car flipped upside down. Inside the vehicle were her two sons, aged three and five, along with three other relatives. They survived. Her husband did not.
Investigation and Government Response
The accident site was closed for several hours while emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage. By February 5, the toll gate had partially reopened.
The Transportation Ministry released a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families. Officials also announced that a team had been dispatched to investigate what went wrong.
“Drivers must check their vehicles before heading out,” said acting land transportation director-general Ahmad Yani.
Authorities are now reviewing safety measures for commercial trucks. The ministry plans to conduct stricter inspections and provide additional training for truck drivers, focusing on proper braking procedures and road safety.
“We will train logistics operators and drinking water companies on safe transport practices,” Ahmad Yani added.
Similar Accidents Raise Concerns
This accident comes less than a month after another major crash caused by brake failure. In January, a tour bus in East Java lost control on a steep road. The vehicle hit at least 17 cars before stopping when it crashed into a tree. That accident killed four people, including a one-year-old child and her mother.
Road safety remains a serious issue in Indonesia. Many commercial trucks and buses operate under poor maintenance conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. Officials continue investigating the Ciawi toll gate crash to determine if negligence or mechanical failure was the main cause.
For now, families of the victims are left grieving, hoping that action will be taken to prevent more tragedies on Indonesia’s roads.
