Grandson of Red Bull founder caught for killing a police officer

A Ferrari with damage to its front and windscreen is found at a house on Sukhumvit Soi 53. The house belongs to the Yoovidhya family. (Photo : Kosol Nakachol in www.bangkokpost.com)

World multi billion-dollar energy drinks empire, Red Bull, co-founder’s grandson killed a police officer in a hit and run on Monday (Sept 3) morning.

Bangkok Post, a major newspaper in Thailand, reported Tuesday (Sept. 4) that a Ferrari driven by grandson of a Thai business tycoon crashed a Thai police officer’s motorcycle and killed the officer.

The sport car was later known to have been driven by Vorayud Yoovidhaya, 27, the son of Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull’s top executive.

According to Bangkok Police Maj. Gen. Parinya Jansuriya, the police officer, identified as Sgt. Major Wichien Klanprasert, was responding to a duty call when Vorayud’s car crashed his motorcycle at around 5 a.m. local time.

Suspect Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the youngest son of Red Bull executive Chalerm Yoovidhya, is brought to the Police General Hospital to undergo a blood test yesterday. (Photo : Somchai Poomlard in www.bangkokpost.com)

Police later tracked the path of the oil leaked from the crime scene that led to the house of the Red Bull family.

Police then found the Ferrari parked in the underground car park of the house and later been seized to be examined by forensic police.

During the investigation of the incident that involves the family member of one of Thai’s richest family, a police officer was suspended for allegedly having another person pretend to be the driver of the damaged Ferrari.

Vorayud was then arrested and had been brought to police station for questioning by investigator.

He also had been taken to Police General Hospital for a blood-alcohol test.

Vorayud has been charged for causing death by reckless driving and hit and run.

Vorayud admitted driving the car and hit the police officer but defended himself by saying that the motorcycle was came out of nowhere and cut in front of his car, making him unable to take an evasive response quickly.

Soon after, Vorayud was released on a bond of 500,000 baht or about US$16,000.

While the man who pretended to be the driver, who is one of the Red Bull family’s employees, was fined 6,000 Baht or US$200.

Vorayud Yoovidhaya’s grandfather, Chaleo Yoovidhaya, founded T.C. Pharmaceuticals and in 1970 created a well-known Thai energy drink prototype call Krating Daeng or Red Bull in English. In 1984 Chaleo then teamed up with an Austrian businessman, Dietrich Mateschitz, to turn Red Bull into a global brand.

Meidyana Rayana Intern Reporter news@theasian.asia