Atwal, escapes unhurt in car crash, faces investigation

Orlando, Fla., Mar 12 (UNI) Arjun Atwal was being investigated for a possible involvement in a high-speed street race that ended in a crash though the ace Indian golfer escaping unscathed while a fellow driver died in the accident.

Although no charges were framed against Atwal for the Saturday evening incident, he is, at a minimum, facing a charge of engaging in a street race, according to local media reports. The investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol could take up two months.

Atwal's BMW spun out of control and turned while the other driver, John Noah Park died after his Mercedes hit a tree.

Witnesses claim that Atwal and they were engaged in a street race with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Atwal's management company Blue Giraffe Sports meanwhile urged people not to make remarks and rush to conclusions.

''Arjun would very much like to address the media about the circumstances of this accident, but obviously cannot do so at this time because of the investigation being conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol.

''We ask that members of the press and the public do not rush to make a judgment about what occurred here, because once all of the facts have been gathered and the investigation completed, it will be abundantly clear that this was simply a horrible accident and tragedy, with no one at fault,'' it said in a statement.

A USPGA tour regular for past three years, Atwal is the first Indian player to win on the European tour when he captured the Singapore Masters in 2002.

UNI