A year ago today, the heir to the multibillion-dollar Red Bull empire was arrested in Thailand after authorities said he killed a motorcycle police officer with his Ferrari FF and drove away after dragging the man down the street. Now, he's in even more hot water for failing to appear in court.
CNN reports that an arrest warrant has been issued for Vorayuth Yoovidhaya, 28, after he didn't show up to court to answer charges of reckless driving causing death, speeding and failing to stop following an accident. Yoovidhaya is the Red Bull energy drink creator's grandson and co-owner of Thailand's Ferrari importer.
Yoovidhaya's attorney said his client was in Singapore recovering from a bout of the flu. His failure to appear means that his speeding charges will lapse due to the statute of limitations expiring, but he's still on the hook for the other charges, CNN says. (So all you have to do to dodge a speeding ticket in Thailand is never show up to court? Good to know.)
If convicted, Yoovidhaya could face up to 10 years in jail. The case sparked considerable outrage in Thailand, where defendants with money are known to receive preferential treatment in the justice system. There's also some allegations of Yoovidhaya's family using their money and connections to try and make this all go away. From CNN's report:
An alleged attempt to cover up the crime — which involved police arresting a suspect who pretended to be driving his Ferrari at the time of the incident — led to the suspension of a police officer and sparked even more outrage.
Yoovidhaya also allegedly paid the family of the victim Thai baht 3 million ($97,000) in a bid to stall a civil lawsuit, police said.
Photo credit AP
Hat tip to Creative Accidents!
Red Bull Heir Fails To Appear In Court After Fatal Hit-And-Run