Drink driver tried to flee country after killing Briton, say police

A drunk driver who killed a Briton crossing the road near Dubai Marina fled to the airport in a bid to escape the country and justice, police believe.

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DUBAI // A drink driver tried to flee the country after knocking down and killing a pedestrian, police believe.

The pedestrian, a Briton, 29, was knocked down and killed at 2am on Saturday as he crossed Al Sufouh Road near the Dubai Marina Bridge.

The car sped off without stopping but a passerby took down its licence plate and called police.

Salah Bu Farousha, the head of Traffic Prosecution, said that within two hours police tracked down and arrested the driver.

The Brazilian man, 31, was arrested in Dubai Airport’s Duty Free shopping area while waiting to board a flight to Lebanon.

Mr Bu Farousha said the man admitted to prosecutors that he was under the influence of alcohol when he drove into the man.

The driver will remain in custody until his trial.

salamir@thenational.ae