BMW driver found asleep at red light after staying up late for Manchester derby

Nonthaburi, September 14, 2026 — A BMW driver was found fast asleep at the wheel while stopped at a red light following a late-night effort to watch the Manchester derby. At 06:20, Pol. Lt. Col. Pariwat Soms-aad, a traffic inspector at the Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station, was alerted to a man seemingly unconscious inside a BMW at the Rama 5 intersection on Phibulsongkram Road in Suan Yai subdistrict.

The BMW was obstructing traffic in the middle lane of the intersection. Upon arrival, police discovered a man, believed to be around 40 years old, asleep in the driver's seat and unresponsive to their attempts to wake him for over 20 minutes. Concerned about potential medical issues or safety risks, officers called for a tow truck to remove the vehicle from the intersection.

The driver eventually awoke once the BMW had been towed to the traffic police booth at the Rama 5 intersection. He admitted to police that he had been extremely tired after staying up late to watch the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City. The driver's extreme fatigue while driving was the direct cause of his sleep at the wheel.

Thankfully, no accident occurred due to his drowsiness. Nonthaburi's Pol. Lt. Col. Pariwat cautioned motorists to ensure adequate rest before driving, emphasizing that fatigue can endanger both drivers and other road users. The unidentified driver, known as Mr. A, was fined 2,000 baht for each of two charges: obstructing traffic and driving with an expired license, totaling a 4,000 baht fine.

He agreed to pay the fine. The traffic inspector revealed that he is a Manchester United fan, like the accused, who had stayed up to watch the high-stakes match. He noted that he stopped watching after Manchester United scored a goal, concluding the game was unlikely to go their way. He had gone to bed early, hoping to wake up in time for work the following day.

The inspector concluded by offering encouragement to fellow Manchester United fans, despite the team's disappointing result. The incident of a BMW driver found asleep at a red light after staying up late for the Manchester derby was first reported on Khaosod English.