Drunk driver kills govt employee, injures 4 in multi-vehicle crash in Karnataka's Ramanagara

Bengaluru: A drunk driver caused a fatal road accident on the Magadi-Ramanagara Road on Wednesday afternoon, killing a 44-year-old government employee and injuring four others.

The crash, which occurred around 3.30 pm, damaged four vehicles, including the driver’s car and two shops.

The Ramanagara traffic police identified the deceased as H Roopa, a first division assistant at the Bilagumba Government High School. Roopa was travelling in an autorickshaw, which was hit during the incident.

The deceased H Roopa.

The accused, identified as Praveen, a resident of Rayaradoddi in Ramanagara, is reportedly the son of a private school owner, which the police are yet to confirm.

Praveen, allegedly driving a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga recklessly toward Ramanagara, first collided with a bus before crashing into an autorickshaw near Kempegowdana Doddi. Eyewitnesses said the impact caused the autorickshaw to topple over, crashing into poultry cages outside a chicken shop.

“Roopa sustained severe head injuries and was unconscious at the scene, while the other passengers and the auto driver suffered minor injuries. Roopa was declared dead on arrival at the district hospital,” a police officer said.

Praveen reportedly attempted to flee, but crashed into several two-wheelers and shop boards near Rayaradoddi Circle. His car finally came to a halt after hitting two stores, causing significant damage to the chassis. A refrigerator holding milk packets toppled, scattering packets onto the road.

Bystanders and eyewitnesses chased Praveen’s car, dragged him out, stripped him, and assaulted him.

A Ramanagara traffic police constable intervened, taking Praveen to the police station in an autorickshaw.

The police confirmed he was intoxicated.

Children orphaned

Roopa, a native of Koppa village in Mandya, leaves behind a son pursuing engineering and a daughter preparing for NEET exams.

Her husband, a government teacher, passed away over two years ago due to Covid-19. Roopa had been given her job on compassionate grounds and had been working at the school for two years.