Synopsis: Sao Lychhing is accused of careless driving causing death and failing to stop and render assistance after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision last week.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday charged and remanded a beauty influencer in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a motorcyclist last week.

According to the court’s detention warrant, the accused was identified as Sao Lychhing, 43, owner and manager of a skincare and cosmetics business.

She was charged with “driving carelessly causing the death of another person under aggravating circumstances” under Article 85 of the Law on Road Traffic and “failure to stop and render assistance” under Article 543 of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, she faces between two and three years in prison.

The investigating judge subsequently ordered her provisional detention in Prey Sar prison.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Lieutenant General Chuon Narin said Lychhing was arrested on Friday in connection with an incident on Wednesday that killed a motorcyclist in Kdey Chas village, Bak Kheng commune, Chroy Changvar district.

He said she was sent to court after being arrested and admitting involvement in the case.

According to Lt Gen Narin, Lychhing surrendered after authorities publicly called on her to report to police following the incident.

Police said a vehicle registered to Lychhing and bearing the personalised licence plate “JJ CHING” struck and killed a motorcyclist before fleeing the scene. Following the incident, Lychhing issued a statement on social media acknowledging that the vehicle involved in the fatal crash belonged to her.

However, she did not say who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.