Red Bull heir in fatal crash in Bangkok

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BANKGKOK, Thailand, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- An heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune faces an additional charge of drunk driving for a crash that killed a police officer, Thai police said Thursday.

Vorayuth Yoovidhya, grandson of Chaleo Yoovidhya, founder of the Red Bull company, had already been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving resulting in death, the Bangkok Post reported.

Police Lt.-Col. Viradol Tubtimdee said Vorayuth's blood alcohol level, measured shortly after Monday's crash, was .063, while the legal limit in Thailand is .05.

Investigators say Vorayuth, at the wheel of his Ferrari, struck a motorcycle driven by Sgt.-Major Wichian Klanprasert, who was killed instantly. Vorayuth drove home instead of stopping, police said.

Vorayuth later said the police officer cut in front of him, but an examination of the crash scene and vehicles determined the motorcycle was hit squarely from the back, police said.

A police officer involved in the investigation, Lt.-Col. Pannapon Nammuang, faces the loss of his job for allegedly trying to put the blame for the crash on Vorayuth's chauffeur. Chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang of the Metropolitan Police Bureau told the Post that Pannapon has 30 days to appeal an order of dismissal.