Hit-and-run driver regrets staying back for birthday

KATHMANDU, AUG 6:
Biplav Man Singh, whose reckless driving killed five Indian nationals and one Nepali Wednesday night, regrets that he did not return to Bangalore, India three days before for joining his college on time. He prolonged his home-stay to celebrate his 20th birthday with family and friends. "The delay brought me a curse. More regretful is that it all happened soon after I received birthday wishes," investigative officials quoted him as saying after he surrendered to the police Wednesday midnight.
Car runs over pedestrians, kills six
The birthday party was organized at Singh´s home, Khichapokhari. He took out the car to drop his three friends, including an Indian national, at their respective residence. "We celebrated birthday happily. I had some wine, but not much. I am a social drinker. But my friends were in a stupor, to some extent," he continued. Once he pulled the car out to the street, the wide and straight stretch lured him to gear up. Police officers do not believe Singh´s tentative guess of 70-80 km per hour. "That must be above 100 kmh," officers say. He only became careful in his driving when a motorbike appeared closely in front. "I maneuvered the steering a little intending to avoid the bike, but then everything went wrong," he said."The car instead made a circular turn hitting the railing. I saw a person flung down on the street. Our minds did not work. The driver´s door did not open. I exited using another door and fled with other friends," he said.The four went to the home of one in Dhalko by taxi. "Later we knew that six died," he told police officers.Singh said it was just due to fear and confusion that they remained out of contact for 24 hours. "Later we realized that there would be no solution running away," he said in the first statement to the police. Singh contacted his father and brother who were held by police for investigation at around 11 pm Wednesday. He arrived to surrender after one hour. His co-passenger friends are also expected to come over to the police Thursday afternoon. Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu said it would reveal Singh to the press on Thursday afternoon.