Bhubaneswar: A motorcyclist was killed after allegedly being hit by a speeding Mercedes-Benz car near Shastri Nagar Square in Bhubaneswar late Monday night.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 10:30 PM when the car collided head-on with the ill-fated motorcycle. The impact of the collision was so severe that the motorcycle was completely wrecked.

Locals rushed to the spot immediately after the crash. They rescued the severely injured motorcyclist and rushed him to the Capital Hospital. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead on arrival.

The deceased has been identified as Debi Prasad Routray, who was riding a motorcycle when the collision took place.

Following the collision, the driver of the car tried to flee the scene, but angry locals blocked the vehicle. They caught the driver and a woman passenger inside the car, and attempted to assault them.

Upon receiving information, cops from the Kharavel Nagar police station rushed to the spot. Police managed to rescue both the driver and the woman, and took them to the police station.

The rescue of the duo by the police further angered the locals. Suspecting that the police might release the driver due to his influential background, the crowd erupted in protest. Angry locals vandalised the luxury car, tried to set it on fire, and blocked the road. The blockade completely disrupted traffic in the area for nearly an hour.

The situation was brought under control after senior police officials arrived at the spot, pacified the protesters, and assured them of strict action against the accused. Police have seized both vehicles and launched a detailed investigation into the incident.

On Tuesday, the Kharvel Nagar Police arrested the main accused identified as Soumya Ranjan Rath.  He has been booked under Sections 281, 105, and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to police, Soumya was travelling in a Mercedes car with a female friend from Jaydev Vihar towards Shastri Nagar via Kalinga Stadium. Investigators said the accused was allegedly driving at high speed after the traffic signal at the Shastri Nagar Chhak had turned off. The speeding car then collided with the motorcycle, resulting in the fatal crash.

During the investigation, police conducted a breathalyser test which allegedly showed that Soumya had 127 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, well above the permissible limit. Police said he was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Officials said the charges invoked against the accused carry a punishment of up to five years' imprisonment, subject to the outcome of judicial proceedings.

Soumya Ranjan Rath is a native of Nischintakoili in Cuttack district and is currently residing in Jaydev Vihar, Bhubaneswar. He is pursuing a law degree at a private university in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking on the case, ACP Zone-I Ramesh Chandra Bisoyi confirmed the arrest and said the accused would be produced before the court while further investigation into the fatal accident is underway.