A son of a Samajwadi Party legislator, driving in an inebriated state, crushed three people to death and seriously wounded seven others in Hazratganj locality of Lucknowon Friday night.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow, Akhil Kumar said the speeding Safari was being driven by 20-year-old Kashif Abbas, son of SP MLA from Gazipur Sadab Fatima.

Kumar said three people have been killed in the incident while seven others have been admitted to the Trauma Centre with serious injuries.

The deceased include Hassan and Rukman, he said.

The vehicle, coming at a high speed, first crashed into two motorcycles and then after hitting a roadside betel shop, ran over seven people sleeping on the pavement near Clarkes Awadh Hotel, he said.

While the officials put the death toll at three, locals said five people were crushed to death in the incident.

"The driver of the vehicle (Kasif) has been arrested and a case has been registered under non-intentional murder," Kumar said.

Police sources said medical examination of the accused confirmed he was drunk. A few beer cans were also recovered from the SUV after the incident, they said. The registration of the vehicle was in the name of Sadab Fatima, they added.

Kashif Abbas, a student of BBA in Delhi, does not have a driving licence in his name, the police added.