Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, May 21: A 27-year-old man from Dona Paula was arrested by Panaji police after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a major accident involving several vehicles in the city.

The accused, identified as Jagdish Sardessai, was taken into custody on Wednesday for drunk driving as well as rash and negligent driving after his BMW rammed into multiple vehicles, damaging at least three cars.

The incident occurred late Tuesday night while Sardessai was reportedly driving from NIO Circle towards Manipal Hospital. CCTV footage of the accident showed the speeding BMW suddenly veering into the opposite lane, striking parked vehicles before colliding head-on with an oncoming four-wheeler. The impact brought both vehicles to a complete halt.

Police officials said the accused appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the accident. After his arrest, authorities confirmed that he would be produced before a local court on Thursday.

A video recorded after the crash, which later went viral on social media, showed Sardessai stepping out of the damaged BMW along with a female passenger and allegedly shouting at people gathered near the accident site.

“Don’t accidents happen? You don’t move, stay where you are,” he was heard yelling at bystanders and police personnel present at the scene.

The footage also showed a large crowd assembling around the accident spot following the collision.

Police sources further revealed that Sardessai had previously been penalised by a local court in an earlier drunken driving case, during which he was fined Rs 10,000.