Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Updated
Mangaluru, Aug 6: The auto driver who was grievously injured in the drunk driving accident on the night of Sunday August 6 passed away on Monday August 7.
Praveen Kumar (21), who was admitted to hospital, breathed his last on Monday morning.
He was standing near his auto rickshaw at Jyothi on Monday night when a speeding Ritz car moving from Bunts Hostel rammed into him and an auto rickshaw. Three other auto drivers were also injured in the accident and are recuperating in hospital. Two of them have been identified as Ashok and Jagadish.
Praveen Kumar
Praveen, a native of Madikeri, has two brothers, elder and younger.
The driver of the car, identified as Anish John, was arrested later, while another person who was with him managed to escape.
It is alleged that the driver was drunk at the time of the incident. Liquor bottles were found in the car.
As news of Praveen's death spread, auto rickshaw drivers gathered at the mortuary and condemned the incident, demanding strict action against the car driver.
MLA J R Lobo too visited the mortuary and listened to the concerns raised by the auto drivers, and also by Praveen's brothers.
Speaking to daijiworld, J R Lobo said, "The deceased person's family from Madikeri met me at the mortuary and I assured them all legal assistance. I have given instructions to officials to make all arrangements to transport the mortal remains to Madikeri for the final rites. Praveen's family should get insurance without any hurdle."
Commenting on the accident, he said, "Strict action should be taken against drunken and reckless driving. Innocents lose their lives in such accidents."
Earlier News: Aug 6
Mangaluru: Drunken driving - Speeding car hits auto stand at Jyothi, four injured; one held
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 6: In a case of suspected drunken driving, a speeding car rammed into a parked auto rickshaw near Dr Ambedkar circle (Jyothi) here late night on Sunday August 6, injuring at least four persons.
According to eye-witnesses, the black Ritz car (KA 20 P 1812) was moving at a high speed, from Bunts Hostel road towards Jyothi. The car moved straight ahead and rammed into auto rickshaws parked at their designated spot just outside KMC Hospital.
Four auto drivers, one of them identified as Praveen, were injured in the accident.
Praveen has been admitted to hospital and his condition is said to be serious.
The auto was completely smashed in the accident. The car was also badly damaged.
There were two persons in the Ritz car. The person who was driving the car has been caught while the other managed to escape, sources said.
It is also learnt that liquor bottles, matchsticks and other items were found in the car.
The identity of the driver is not yet known.
Kadri police arrived at the spot and registered a case.