Red Bull heir arrested in deadly Thai hit-and-run
BANGKOK (AP) - 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.
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 (feet) 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 be 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.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
9/3/2012 5:30:58 AM (GMT -7:00)
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.
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 (feet) 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 be 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.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
9/3/2012 5:30:58 AM (GMT -7:00)
Having been to Thailand a number of times I can tell you that corruption is everywhere over there. I was once threatened with arrest because police at a rural roadblock suspected I was a human trafficker. My wife speaks Thai and told me what was going on and I told her to let them take me to jail and call the embassy. Wife, being much smarter than me, told me that was probably a bad idea and paid about $300 (10,000 BHT) and I was free to go. Unlike me, this family is Thai, wealthy, and almost certainly, very well connected. If they play nice, pay some folks off, and keep their mouths shut this will probably go away.Â
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Mike
How tragic. If the policeman cut off the Ferrari as the guy stated, why didn't he just stop? Why continue to drag the officer and motorcycle for several feet? Why hide?
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I don't care if you have money or not, you are NOT above the law. Hopefully he is charged with the death of this officer.
If I were filthy rich I'd offer jobs to all my relatives not a ferrari and a little extra annually so they could go on a vacation or fix up their house and that's only if I thought they needed it. I never think a child should inherit a lifestyle on the backs of their grandparents, parents, etc. It should always be worked for or you will never appreciate anything you have and turn into a lazy SOB.
Lets see if Red Bull gives him wings.
Nice try on the cover-up; daddy must have taught you well...
Seems like he wasn't taught life responibilites.SPOILED BRAT!...