Bhubaneswar, July 14: Police on Tuesday arrested the driver of a Mercedes-Benz involved in a fatal road accident near Shastri Nagar Square in Bhubaneswar late Monday night that claimed the life of a motorcyclist.

Zone-I ACP Ramesh Bisoyi identified the accused as Soumya Ranjan Rath, a law student, who has been booked for rash and negligent driving as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the police, Rath was allegedly intoxicated when he was behind the wheel of the luxury car. The accident occurred at around 10:30 pm on Monday after the speeding vehicle reportedly collided head-on with a motorcycle near Shastri Nagar Square. The force of the impact completely wrecked the two-wheeler.

Residents nearby rushed to the scene and shifted the critically injured motorcyclist to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police said the driver attempted to flee after the collision, but local residents intercepted the car and detained both Rath and a woman who was travelling with him until police arrived.

Personnel from Kharavel Nagar police station later reached the spot, rescued the two from an agitated crowd and took them into custody.

The incident sparked protests, with locals expressing concern that the accused might receive preferential treatment because of his alleged influential background.

Protesters vandalised the Mercedes-Benz, tried to set it on fire and blocked the road for nearly an hour, causing major traffic disruptions.

Senior police officials later intervened, calmed the protesters and assured them that the accused would face strict legal action.

Police have seized both the Mercedes-Benz and the motorcycle involved in the crash. Further investigation into the incident is in progress.