According to the District Police Office of Kaski, Kalyan Adhikari of Lekhnath municipality-4, who was driving his car (Ga. 1 Cha 7960) under the influence of alcohol, hit two cars (Ga. 1 Cha 8016 and Ga. 1 Cha 7267) and four two-wheelers (Ba. 23 Pa 6640, Ga. 5 Pa 9009, Ga. 5 Pa 541 and Ga. 5 Pa 6926) at New Road, Pokhara. Adhikari, who escaped the accident site, was shortly nabbed at Chipledhunga.[break]
One of five people injured by Adhikari´s reckless driving died shortly after being taken to Metro City Hospital, Pokhara. District Traffic Police Office of Kaski has identified the dead as Hira Gurung, 40, of Pokhara municipality-17. She was riding pillion on a scooter.
Yuvaraj Mishra, 35, and Sharmila Pokharel, 20, of Pokhara-2; Sarita Gurung, 25, of Pokhara-7; and Keshav Thapa, 47, of Pokhara-15, who were also injured, are undergoing treatment at Metro City Hospital and Manipal Teaching Hospital.
Adhikari, who was taken to Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara tested positive for alcohol consumption, according to Rabindra Poudel, spokesperson for the Kaski police. When Republica caught up with Adhikari in police custody on Saturday, he admitted to have consumed alcohol before driving the car.
“I thought I could drive the car even after drinking alcohol,” said Adhikari. “After I hit a vehicle, I hit another vehicle while trying to avoid further damages. But I don´t remember what I went on to do after hitting two vehicles.”
Friday´s horrific accident occurs amidst the ongoing traffic police campaign against drink-driving. The traffic police have been taking action against 30-50 people every day for drink-driving since last year. The fact that Adhikari went on to cause so much damage under the influence of alcohol has raised a question about the effectiveness of the campaign.
“Despite our strict checking, some drunk drivers manage to escape, which has at times led to such accidents,” said Bir Bahadur Budha, chief of the Kaski Traffic Police.
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