Seconds from Disaster: Drunk Driver in Skoda Rams Into Bengaluru Restaurant; Pedestrians Narrowly Escape
BENGALURU: A horrific road tragedy was narrowly averted on the bustling 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar late Thursday night when an intoxicated driver lost control of his high-speed luxury car, jumped a median, and slammed into the exterior wall of a popular restaurant.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:35 PM on January 8, 2026, was captured on chilling CCTV footage that has since gone viral. The video shows a group of young diners standing outside the Barbeque Nation outlet, missing a direct hit by mere inches as the vehicle careened past them at an estimated speed of 90 kmph.
High-Speed Chaos on 100 Feet Road
According to the Jeevan Bheema Nagar Traffic Police, the driver has been identified as 42-year-old Derrick Tony. Tony was reportedly driving a Skoda from 18th Main Road toward the 100 Feet Road stretch.
Initial investigations reveal that due to extreme intoxication and excessive speed, Tony was unable to negotiate a scheduled left turn. Instead of turning, the vehicle mounted the central divider, struck a parked two-wheeler, and hurtled into the restaurant’s wall. The impact caused significant structural damage to the eatery’s facade and left the car’s front end completely mangled.
Miraculous Escape for Diners and Pedestrians
The dramatic CCTV footage highlights the sheer luck involved in the outcome. A group of men and women who had just finished dinner were seen chatting near the entrance when they heard the car hit the divider. They managed to scatter just seconds before the Skoda roared through the space they had occupied.
While no fatalities were reported, the owner of the struck two-wheeler, identified as Jabir Ahmed, sustained minor injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver, Derrick Tony, also sustained minor injuries and was detained after a medical examination confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol.
Police Action and Vehicle Seizure
The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) acted swiftly, seizing the Skoda and registering a case of rash and negligent driving under the Influence of alcohol. A formal legal notice has been served to Tony, and the vehicle remains in police custody at the Jeevan Bheema Nagar station.
“The driver was traveling at a dangerous speed for a crowded urban corridor. His inability to control the vehicle due to intoxication could have resulted in multiple casualties,” a senior traffic official stated.
Indiranagar: A Growing Hotspot for Traffic Violations
This accident brings back the spotlight on Indiranagar as a major hotspot for drunk driving in Bengaluru. Recent data from the BTP reveals that East Bengaluru, particularly the Jeevan Bima Nagar jurisdiction which covers 100 Feet Road, topped the charts for drunk driving violations in 2025 with nearly 1,500 cases.
With over 38,000 drunk driving cases recorded in Bengaluru in 2025, a sharp 62% increase from the previous year, authorities have announced intensified checks for 2026. The police are now pushing for stricter license suspensions and higher penalties for repeat offenders to curb the menace in nightlife hubs.
