Drunk driver not carrying licence: Cops

The 19-year-old, who got behind the wheels after drinking and crashed the SUV into a divider in Vasai, killing himself and his five friends on Wednesday, was not even carrying a driver’s licence, the police said. HT reports.

The 19-year-old, who got behind the wheels after drinking and crashed the SUV into a divider in Vasai, killing himself and his five friends on Wednesday, was not even carrying a driver’s licence, the police said.

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Of the seven friends who went on the joyride, only one has survived, and he is battling for life.

“We are probing if Tangdi had a licence at all. He did not have one on his person when his body was sent for post-mortem,” said S Nishandar, additional superintendent of police, Thane rural. “We will approach his family once things are slightly settled.”

The youngsters are all from Payegaon village on Kaman-Bhiwandi Road. The sole survivor, Tejas Ramesh, 21, is in critical condition.

The incident occurred early on Wednesday, after the seven friends decided to go for a spin after drinking at a Navratri pandal in their village, officials with Vaniv police station, Vasai, said.

The police said Tangdi met his employer’s driver and allegedly snatched the keys of the Bolero from him and took his friends for a ride. After the SUV got on to Kaman-Bhiwandi Road around 1.30am, Tangdi started speeding and lost control of the vehicle near Nanglegaon village in Vasai.

“We have booked Tangdi for drink driving and causing death due to negligence. The bodies have been handed over to the families,” said S Mane, senior inspector, Vaniv police station.

Apart from Tangdi, the other victims have been identified as Devendra Tangdi, 19, Yadnesh Devalkar, 18, Kashinath Patil, 17, Vaibhav Raikar, 27, Kundan Raikar, 24.