The taxis were lined up outside the hotel when the van, bearing the registration Ba 7 Cha 1521, driven by 26-year-old Kebalya SS JB Rana, hit them.

“All the vehicles are badly disfigured. The driver was found drunk in a medical test conducted at Bir Hospital. Guards at Hotel Shangri-La held and handed Rana over to the police while he was fleeing,” said SP Ganesh KC, Chief, Crime Division, Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu.

“The taxis were lined up facing south while the van was speeding northward. First taxi went straight to the shutter and pinned up while the second and the third ones were badly crushed on the spot. The fourth one was smashed but was without its driver inside. The van got hurled across the road and turned turtle after hitting the taxis,” The SP said. The deceased driver has been identified as Tirtha Lama, hailing from Dapcha VDC-5 of Kavre district. Pradeep Sapkota and Govind Tamang, who sustained minor injuries, are recuperating at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. The defaulting driver remained safe, thanks to his applying the air bag and the safety belt.

“We have filed a case under Vehicle and Transportation Act, 1992 in the court. We are taking the culprit to the court at 11 am tomorrow,” SP KC added. The police are not letting anyone meet the accused citing security reasons. His maternal uncle is in contact with the police while his parents are reportedly on their way home from abroad.