‘Drunk’ SUV driver hits series of vehicles in Odisha’s Sundargarh, 1 critical

Sundargarh: A man hit vehicles in a series today in Sundargarh district, leaving about four persons with minor injuries and a cyclist critically injured. He was allegedly in an inebriated condition.

The cyclist has been identified as Parshuram Behera (60). He sustained severe injury on his head. The SUV driver identified as Ramesh Sharma is a local barber, who runs a saloon of his own.

According to a source, the SUV started moving from Sankara locality of the town and hit a motorcyclist in front of the medical college. The SUV (bearing registration number OD-14 AD-2401) driver increased its speed and hit a car at Mission Road. The car overturned twice and was partially damaged in the incident. The man did not stop there and moved on. In the spree, the SUV dashed against a stationary truck on the roadside after hitting three more bikes and the cyclist Parshuram, the source added.

On being informed, Town police reached the spot and detained the SUV driver.

Notably, Ramesh had borrowed the SUV from a policeman. However, under what circumstances the cop had given him the vehicle has not been ascertained yet. Town police have initiated a probe.