Teen Charged In South Austin DWI Wreck That Severed Victim's Leg

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A teenage driver has been arrested on suspicions of drunk driving after crashing into a bus stop before fleeing the scene, leaving a pedestrian seriously injured with a severed leg, according to a published report.

Referencing court documents, the Austin American-Statesman reported that Dipak Thapa, 19, faces two charges in the crash that happened at around 5:40 p.m. on Friday in Southeast Austin. The incident occurred along the 2400 block of East Riverside Drive, just west of Pleasant Valley Road.

According to the report, police responding to the scene found the victim, a 60-year-old man, with his right leg severed as a result of the collision. The man was found to be suffering from internal bleeding of the brain upon being treated at the hospital, an arrest affidavit details.

Also found at the scene was a wrecked Toyota Camry that had been left behind after Thapa fled the scene, according to police. The driver later was located at a hospital where he sought treatment of his injuries, according to the report.

Thapa was later booked into Travis County Jail on Friday after his release from the hospital. He has been charged with intoxication assault w/vehicle causing serious bodily injury and accident causing serious bodily injury with bail set at $250,000 for each charge for a total amount of $500,000. The charges are third-degree felonies punishable by between two to 10 years in prison.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Get Patch's Daily Newsletters and Real Time Alerts

Image via Shutterstock