Drunken lorry driver sentenced to one year imprisonment for causing fatal accident in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: A JMFC court in Mangaluru has sentenced a lorry driver to one year of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 21,000 for causing the death of a woman scooter rider in a road accident that occurred in 2019.

The accused, MD Satish, was convicted in connection with Traffic West Police Station registered under Sections 279 and 304(A) of the IPC and Sections 134(a) & (b) read with Sections 187 and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The incident took place on November 27, 2019, on National Highway-66 near BMS Hotel, Kuntikana, within the limits of Traffic West Police Station. The victim, Priya Y Suvarna (42), was riding her scooter from KPT towards Kottara Chowki when the accused, driving lorry allegedly drove the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner and rammed into the scooter from behind.

Following the collision, the lorry driver fled the scene along with the vehicle. Priya Suvarna fell onto the road and sustained serious head injuries. She was shifted to a hospital in Mangaluru, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The investigation confirmed that the accused was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. A case was subsequently registered by the Traffic West Police, and after completion of the investigation, the then Police Inspector filed a charge sheet before the court.

After examining the witnesses and hearing arguments from both sides, JMFC 8th Court Judge Fawaz PA pronounced the judgment holding the accused guilty and sentencing him accordingly.

The prosecution was conducted on behalf of the State by Assistant Public Prosecutor Geetha Rai, who handled part of the witness examination, while Assistant Public Prosecutor Aaron D’Souza Vittla, conducted the remaining examination.