A Thai police officer examines a damaged Ferrari in the garage of a home of Chaleo Yoovidhaya, the creator of the Red Bull energy drink Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand. Vorayuth Yoovidhya, left, is a grandson of Chaleo Yoovidhaya and suspected of driving the car that struck and killed a policeman and then dragged the officer's body down a Bangkok street in an early-morning, hit-and-run accident, police said Monday. (AP Photo) THAILAND OUT
BANGKOK -- A grandson of the creator of the Red Bull energy drink has been arrested for driving a Ferrari that struck a police officer and dragged his dead body down a Bangkok street in an early-morning hit-and-run, police said Monday.
Police took Vorayuth Yoovidhya, 27, for questioning after tracing oil streaks for several blocks to his family's gated estate in a wealthy neighborhood of the Thai capital.
He was facing charges of causing death by reckless driving and escaping an arrest by police but was released on a 500,000 baht ($15,900) bail.
A Thai police officer examines a damaged Ferrari in the garage of a home of Chaleo Yoovidhaya, the creator of the Red Bull energy drink Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)
Vorayuth admitted he drove the charcoal gray sports car but said the police officer's motorcycle abruptly cut in front of his vehicle, said police Maj. Gen. Anuchai Lekbamroong, the lead investigator in the case.
Bangkok's top police official, Lt. Gen. Comronwit Toopgrajank, said he took charge of the investigation after a lower-ranking policeman initially tried to cover up the crime by turning in a bogus suspect. Comronwit himself led a team of officers to search the compound of late Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhaya, one of Thailand's wealthiest men before he passed away this year, and confiscated a Ferrari with a badly damaged front bumper and broken windshield.
The victim, Sgt. Maj. Wichean Glanprasert, 47, was killed during a motorcycle patrol before dawn. Thai media reported that the car dragged the officer and his motorcycle for several dozen meters as it sped through the residential neighborhood.
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," he told reporters. "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 will take responsibility for the damages.
The Yoovidhaya family was ranked the 4th richest in Thailand this year by Forbes magazine, with a net worth of $5.4 billion. Red Bull creator Chaleo Yoovidhaya died in his 80s in March, leaving his heirs a wide range of businesses, including shares in the globally popular energy drink brand, hospitals and real estate.
The family also co-owns the sole authorized importer of Ferrari cars in Thailand.
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Associated Press
BANGKOK -- A grandson of the creator of the Red Bull energy drink has been arrested for driving a Ferrari that struck a police officer and dragged his dead body down a Bangkok stre...
Associated Press
BANGKOK -- A grandson of the creator of the Red Bull energy drink has been arrested for driving a Ferrari that struck a police officer and dragged his dead body down a Bangkok stre...
I read the Thai report over the Internet, reported the officer being drag after being hit for quarter miles. A quarter miles! he would have been a chance to live if the driver will just stop and call for ambulance. Sadly to say this is a silent code that if you hit a person make sure he/she is killed because it is cheaper to pay the damage.
Yes, this is the society that runs by the rich with their powerful friends. They even paid someone to pose as the driver for the investigation and the police lieutenent let the deal slide.
At least someone has a decency to stand up and said, "this isn't right" Our fellow officer is dead and as the leader we let them and their family down. The police in charge of the case is being investigate and this guy is being arrested.
Aey_Supatida: I read the Thai report over the Internet, reported the
"The family will take responsibility for the damage"...as if that's all it takes...money. A man died....and they treat it like just another trash can the grandson knocked over. Like Romney and Ryan and the rest of the GOP leadership and their Corporate Koch Brothers sponsors- money is all that counts. The man who was killed? He's just an unnecessary reminder that the grandson didn't get away with it entirely due to the detective work of a another good Thai Police Officer. RIP Sgt Major Wichean Glanpraseret. Some of - a half a world away - thanks to the Internet -and the Huffington Post *do* care.
MCTSilverlakeCA: "The family will take responsibility for the damage"...as if that's
Four days ago, my grandson (12) was run down by an 18-yr-old female as he walked home from school. Clear day, straight road, no traffic, no drugs, no alcohol. (Cellphone? I don't know yet) She has been charged and you can bet her Insurance company will pay for NathaN'S ESTIMATED $750,000 FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY.
Unca_Allen: Four days ago, my grandson (12) was run down by
So sorry about your grandson- I do hope he will be okay. My father and brother were killed by an 18 wheeler- & it's a long story- but the driver was stoned & the owner carried the minimum insurance required. ANY amount of money for an innocent victim is a slap in the face of the family. That person can't just be replaced with money. It helped my mom survive- she never could work after that. I'm so glad your grandson will survive this, and hope the surgery and recovery go well.
Lady_Gato: So sorry about your grandson- I do hope he will
The(Rich) family might just probably pay the dead officer's family off making the case will just disappear. He might not even get community service far less jail time. Money in Thai(Asia) controls everything, then again; miracles can happen.
chattabox: The(Rich) family might just probably pay the dead officer's family
The incident with Ted Kennedy was one of complete disregard for another's life. Mary Jo did not drown, she died of aphysixation (pardon the spelling) from breathing a small slip of air. It was when she went unconscious or suffocated that she slipped into the water. Her life would have been saved had Mr. Kennedy not waited over ten hours to first call his attorney. His family was advised to call an ambulance. Imagine, they needed legal advice to call an ambulance. What kept him in the clear was cloney-ism in his home state. He made a statement at a press conference stating fabricated information. He also said he would NEVER discuss this matter again. His pals in his home state closed the case.
His character has always been suspect with me.
I am a liberal. Time to stop stereotyping.
Irene_Lerner: The incident with Ted Kennedy was one of complete disregard
This spoiled little boy, driving a multi-million THB Ferrari from his big Daddy's garage, was racing home 5:30am (!!), most probably coming from any of those jet-sset-parties, drunken, drugged and speeding - and then this Police Officer. Little boy not only hit him with his Dad's racing car, he also pulled the Officer's body along the street for more than 200 meters, until the corpse finally fell off the car. And then little boy hurried home trying immediately to arrange that someone else will take responsability (having enough money you get all in BKK). But unfortunately Police catched him .... but you know what? In fact it didn't change anything ... little boy at home with Daddy again, Daddy paid the ridicolous low bail of only THB 500'000. Being one of the richest and most influential clans in Thailand, 500K is just peanuts.
And later on maybe you will see: Little boy never goes to prison, will not even get punished by any measure - Daddy will arrange everthing with his multi-billions of THB. What a rotten country, what a joke ok law system!
Daniel_Christinat: This spoiled little boy, driving a multi-million THB Ferrari from
I'm willing to bet this is the last time we hear about this. It will just go away quietly. The punk at least better pay off the officer's family if that's the case.
marklemagne: I'm willing to bet this is the last time we
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AP | Posted: 09/03/2012 9:00 am Updated: 09/04/2012 10:50 am