Bhubaneswar, June 16: The driver of the car involved in the deadly chain-reaction accident near Press Square in Gajapati Nagar on Monday night surrendered before Maitri Vihar Police on Tuesday.

During questioning, the driver claimed he had suddenly lost control of the vehicle, leading to the series of collisions. Police said a breathalyzer test confirmed that he was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The mishap claimed three lives and left four others critically injured. Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda visited the accident site and reviewed the situation. Investigators have seized the car, an auto-rickshaw and the damaged two-wheelers involved in the crash. CCTV footage from the area is also being examined.

According to police, the accident occurred at around 8 pm when the car was travelling at high speed from Press Square towards Railway Stadium. Near the New Government Colony gate, more than ten people were gathered at a roadside tea stall.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the speeding vehicle hit a road hump, causing the driver to lose control. The car then rammed into four parked motorcycles and an auto-rickshaw before ploughing into people standing near the tea stall. The vehicle finally came to a halt after crashing into a mango tree.

Three persons, including the husband of an IAS officer, were killed in the incident, while four others sustained serious injuries. The injured have been admitted to different hospitals, where their condition remains critical.

Maitri Vihar Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the incident.