Audi driven by drunk man hits 10; four injured

Surat: In a case of drunken driving that sent shock-waves in the city on Thursday night, a 40-year-old real-estate broker rammed his high-end Audi car into bikes outside a tea-stall and hit 10 people in the process on Vesu canal road in Althan police station area. Four persons were injured in the incident.
Police arrested Rinkesh Bhatiya and registered two FIRs against him.
According to complainant Dipak Shirade, he and his friend Rajat Chaudhary were standing near their bike outside Pappu tea-stall on Vesu canal road on Thursday night. Around 10.45pm, a speeding Audi car (GJ-05-RT-5550) came zigzagging towards them from Anuvrat Dwar circle and hit Shirade and Chaudhary, along with other people standing there.
As the driver kept driving ahead, three labourers walking on the road were hit by the car. Locals tried to stop the car but the driver kept driving, endangering the lives of people. But soon the car stopped on its own and people caught hold of Bhatiya.
Liquor and snack packets were found in his car. Soon, police reached the spot and arrested Bhatiya.
“Four persons were injured and two of them were hospitalised. We have registered two offences in this incident. In the first FIR, we have booked Bhatiya for rash driving under BNS Sections 281, 125 (A), 125 (B) and 324 (2), along with relevant sections of MV Act. In the second FIR, we have booked him for ‘drink and drive’ under MV Act and Prohibition Act,’’ said inspector N H Brahmbhatt of Althan police station.
He said they got Bhatiya’s medical tests conducted and also sent a report to the RTO to cancel his driving licence.