Udupi: A student in Manipal has been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol at high speed and causing a chain of accidents late at night. Police said the accused, identified as Abhimanyu Negi, crashed into multiple parked two-wheelers and an oncoming auto-rickshaw, leaving an elderly driver injured. A case has been registered and further investigation is in progress.
Series of collisions reported at night
According to police and preliminary reports, the incident occurred late on the night of February 14 along a busy stretch near the college road area in Manipal. The accused was allegedly driving at high speed when he lost control of the car.
The vehicle reportedly swerved sharply from side to side before crashing into a row of parked two-wheelers along the roadside. At least seven two-wheelers were damaged in the impact, many of them belonging to employees of nearby establishments.
Moments later, the car also collided with an auto-rickshaw travelling from the opposite direction, resulting in injuries to its driver.
Auto driver suffers head injury
The injured auto-rickshaw driver has been identified as Shivaprasad (76), a resident of Badagabettu. He reportedly sustained an internal head injury in the collision and was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Sources said the force of the crash caused significant damage to the front portion of the auto-rickshaw. Bystanders and local residents rushed to assist the injured driver and alerted emergency services.
Doctors are said to be monitoring his condition, and further medical evaluation is underway.
Driver suspected to be under influence of alcohol
Police said the accused student was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Initial assessment and field verification indicated signs of drunk driving, following which he was taken into custody.
Investigators believe reckless and high-speed driving led to the loss of control and the subsequent chain collision. Authorities noted that if the vehicle had entered a main highway stretch at the same speed, the consequences could have been far more severe.
The car involved in the accident bore a Haryana registration number. The vehicle has been seized for mechanical inspection and evidentiary purposes.
Case registered, probe continues
A formal case has been registered at Manipal Police Station under relevant sections relating to drunken driving, rash and negligent driving, and causing injury.
Police teams have documented the damage to the parked two-wheelers and recorded statements from vehicle owners and eyewitnesses. CCTV footage from nearby buildings is also being examined to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Officials said further legal action will be taken based on medical reports, vehicle examination and forensic findings.
Accident-prone stretch flagged by locals
Residents and workers in the area said the road stretch is frequently used by employees and the general public during both daytime and late-night hours. They noted that minor accidents have occurred there earlier as well, often linked to speeding vehicles.
Locals have called for stricter night-time traffic enforcement, speed monitoring and random drunk-driving checks in student-dominated zones to prevent similar incidents.
Police reiterated their warning against drunk driving and overspeeding, stating that intensified checks will be carried out, especially on weekends and late-night hours.