Indian student Akash Das was behind the wheel when his Cadillac SUV collided with an Audi sedan, and the 81-year-old driver of the Audi, Gary Neal Fields, died. The accident took place in July, and Das was arrested in August and his bail was set. The police arrest report was recently made public and it revealed that four vehicles were involved in the fatal crash and Das was speeding at 100 mph in a 45 mph zone.Investigators who analyzed the data from the Cadillac’s airbag control said Das showed “willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others”. Das made his first court appearance on August 6. Palm Beach Post reported that he remained in custody as of the morning of August 7. Circuit Judge Donald Hafele set Das’ bail at $125,000 and ordered that he be placed on in-house arrest upon his release.
Attorney says Das is from a good family
Defense attorney Adam Farkas, who represented Das in court, said Das is currently living in South Florida to complete an internship with a company that specializes in AI. He said that Das is seeking to return to New York to finish his pursuit of a Master’s degree from Columbia University.Farkas did not respond to the speeding allegation, but said there was no evidence that Das’ actions were intentional.The attorney also said that Das is from a good family and has no police record. “He’s charged with negligent vehicular homicide, meaning that there was no intent at all,” Farkas said. “He comes from a very good family, he’s never been in trouble before and hopefully we can put this all behind him. It was a tragic accident that occurred.”
Eyewitnesses said Das was driving like a bullet
Das’ Cadillac crashed into the right rear door of Fields’ Audi, causing the Audi to crash into a Nissan SUV that was sitting at a stop sign. The Nissan then collided with a Volvo SUV that was traveling west on Victoria Falls. Fields was unresponsive and when he was taken to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, he died. Das and the Nissan’s driver had injuries that were not life-threatening. The Volvo driver was not hurt.One driver told investigators the vehicle came up behind her “like a bullet,” shaking her car as it sped past. Another witness recalled thinking, “They’re going to kill someone,” moments before the collision. Das remains charged with vehicular homicide.
