Biker provided false info initially: police
The ride-sharing biker, on whose motorcycle Brac University student Fahmida Haque Labannya was a pillion rider, was driving recklessly when an over-speeding pickup hit it and ran Labannya over last Thursday, police said yesterday.
“The biker was driving recklessly, as did the pickup driver. The accident happened when the pickup tried to overtake the bike,” said Biplob Kumar Sarker, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon Division Police.
At a press briefing in his office, Biplob said biker Suman had provided false information to be registered with Uber.
That’s why police had difficulty identifying and detaining him from Mohammadpur area on Friday.
A day later, after analysing CCTV footage, police detained the pickup driver Anisur Rahman from Ashulia.
Police found Suman’s initial claim that Labannya fell on the road when he slammed the brake to save a jaywalker to be false.
Biplob said the pickup driver was the prime accused but at the same time, the biker was also guilty. He was driving recklessly and braking frequently.
Police will investigate further to bring charges against the biker, he said, adding that Suman provided false information while receiving treatment at Suhrawardy Hospital after the accident happened.
Biplob said Uber authorities cannot avoid responsibility for registering Suman without verifying his address, and legal action would be taken against those found negligent.
Initially, police did not receive any assistance from Uber regarding the matter despite contacting the company on several occasions, he said while replying to a query.
Biplob said it was not right to register a motorbike just by verifying documents. Authorities should check the drivers’ mental and physical fitness, he added.
Contacted, Uber in a statement said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and wish to reiterate our deepest condolences to the rider’s family. We always have and will continue to assist law enforcement authorities in any way possible.”
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