A luxury Audi car driver, allegedly drunk, caused havoc during peak traffic hours on the Amblli-Bopal Road in Ahmedabad on Monday as he rammed into multiple vehicles.
After leaving a trail of multiple collisions, the driver identified as Ripal Panchal, a resident of Thaltej, continued to sit behind the wheels and smoke a cigarette.
The incident took place near the Tata Motors showroom on Bopal-Ambli Road, when Panchal, driving an Audi (registration number GJ18 BQ 6780), lost control and collided with multiple vehicles. According to eyewitnesses, he initially struck a Harrier car, then a tempo and another vehicle, before ramming into a Nexon. The chaos ended when the car finally came to a halt after crashing into a divider.
One victim, on her way to work, described how the Audi struck her, causing her to fall. “The driver appeared intoxicated and unaware of his actions.” Witnesses also reported seeing the driver smoking a cigarette inside the vehicle after the crashes.
Eyewitnesses recounted that Panchal attempted to flee the scene but was intercepted by members of the public. He was forcibly removed from the car, thrashed by the crowd, and subsequently handed over to the police. Witnesses noted that even after being apprehended, the driver remained unnervingly calm and indifferent.
As the driver attempted to flee, enraged people chased him down, dragged him from the car and physically confronted him before handing him over to the police. Despite the commotion, Panchal reportedly remained calm and unbothered even responding to media queries with, “My lawyer will answer.”
The police have since detained Panchal and launched an investigation.
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