Red Bull heir's killer hit-'n-run
2012-09-04 08:47
A DEADLY COVER-UP: Above shows the damage done to Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya (inset) Ferrari after he struck down a Thai police officer.
BANGKOK, Thailand - A grandson of the creator of the Red Bull energy drink has been arrested for driving a Ferrari that killed a police officer and dragged his body down a Bangkok street.
Police arrested Vorayuth Yoovidhya after tracing oil streaks for several blocks to his family's gated estate in a wealthy neighborhood of the Thai capital.
He is facing charges of reckless driving and escaping arrest but was released on R133 000 bail.
POLICE COVER-UP
Vorayuth admitted he drove the gray Ferrari but said the police officer's motorcycle abruptly cut in front of his vehicle.
Bangkok police official Comronwit Toopgrajank, said he took charge of the investigation after a lower-ranking policeman initially tried to cover up the incident by turning in a bogus suspect.
Comronwit led a team of officers to search the compound of late Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhaya and confiscated a Ferrari with a badly damaged front bumper and broken windscreen.
The victim, Wichean Glanprasert, was killed during a motorcycle patrol.
Thai media reported that the car dragged the officer and his motorcycle for several metres as it sped through the residential neighborhood.
FAMILY PAYING UP
Comronwit said he suspended the police officer who attempted to subvert the investigation: "A policeman is dead. I can't let this stand. If I let this case get away, I'd rather quit. I don't care how powerful they are. If I can't get the actual man in this case, I will resign."
Vorayuth did not speak to the media but the family lawyer said the family would be take responsibility for the damages.
The Yoovidhaya family was ranked the fourth richest in Thailand in 2012 by Forbes magazine, with a net worth equivalent to R45-billion.
The family also co-owns the sole authorized importer of Ferrari cars in Thailand.
