Bhubaneswar, July 14: A law student was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly driving a luxury SUV under the influence of alcohol and causing a fatal road accident near Shastri Nagar Square in Bhubaneswar late on Monday night. The head-on collision claimed the life of a 34-year-old motorcyclist, raising fresh concerns over drunken driving and road safety in the state capital.
The accused has been identified as Soumya Ranjan Rath, while the deceased was identified as Debi Prasad Routray. Police have booked Rath on charges of rash and negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to Zone-I ACP Ramesh Chandra Bisoi, Rath was allegedly driving the SUV in an inebriated condition when the accident occurred around 10.30 pm. The speeding vehicle reportedly crashed head-on into Routray’s motorcycle near Shastri Nagar Square. The impact was so severe that the motorcycle was completely wrecked.
Residents who heard the loud collision rushed to the spot and found Routray lying critically injured. He was immediately shifted to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police said the accused allegedly attempted to escape from the scene after the crash. However, alert locals intercepted the SUV and detained Rath along with a woman passenger travelling with him. A police team from Kharavel Nagar Police Station reached the spot, rescued the duo from an angry crowd and took them into custody.
Senior police officers later visited the accident site, pacified protesting locals and assured them that strict legal action would be taken against the accused. Police have seized both the SUV and the motorcycle for forensic examination.
Further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident and to establish all facts related to the fatal crash.
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