Driver’s blood samples sent for testing

Chaitya Adani (24) was arrested by the Tardeo police in the early hours of Tuesday after he allegedly ran over a pedestrian and killed him on Monday night.

Rajendraprasad Ram (43) was hit by Mr. Adani’s speeding Mercedes near Gate No. 1 of the Mahalaxmi Race Course around 8.30 p.m. on Monday.

“Mr. Adani was speeding from Mahalaxmi railway station to Haji Ali Road while a Volvo was travelling in the opposite direction. Ram, a Borivali resident, was walking on the sidewalk when he saw the speeding vehicle coming towards him. He was hit by Mr. Adani’s Mercedes after which the car swerved and hit the Volvo before crashing into Gate 1 of Mahalaxmi Race Course,” an officer with the Tardeo police station said.

The officer added that Mr. Adani, in his statement, said he got confused as he saw the victim move in his path and hence swerved towards the Volvo.

He then swerved in the opposite direction to avoid hitting the Volvo.

Mr. Adani was booked for causing death due to rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act, and was produced in court on Tuesday, after which he was granted bail.

“We have sent Mr. Adani’s blood samples for medical testing to verify whether he was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident,” the officer said, adding that the statement of the Volvo driver has also been recorded.

A resident of Walkeshwar, Mr. Adani comes from a business family that has several real estate firms in the city and assists his father in the family business, police sources said.