Late-night drive, temple visit: Bengaluru car crash victims gave different reasons at home to step out

BENGALURU: Five youths, including two teenagers, died in a road accident involving a car and a KSRTC bus near Jindal Aluminium in Anchepalya on Tumakuru Road on the outskirts of Bengaluru around 11.45pm Saturday.

According to police, the accident occurred when a Tata Indica, travelling from Nelamangala to Bengaluru, reportedly crashed into the road divider after entering the flyover on the national highway, jumped into the opposite lane, toppled multiple times and collided head-on with a KSRTC bus.

The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the car completely mangled and causing extensive damage to its front and top portions. Based on the preliminary investigation, police suspect overspeeding to be the main reason for the accident.

The deceased have been identified as Danush, 17; Keshava, 19; Durga Prasad, 20; Harshith, 20; and Lalith Kumar, 23, all residents of different areas in Doddaballapura in Bengaluru Rural district.

Police said Keshava was driving the car. Joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy inspected the spot, though the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Madanayakanahalli Police station (law and order). He confirmed to TOI that all five occupants of the car died in the crash.

Blood samples of the deceased have been collected and sent to FSL to ascertain whether they were driving under the influence of alcohol. Police are verifying the antecedents of the deceased. The accident spot is not under CCTV surveillance, and instructions have been given to check cameras in surrounding buildings.

Bus driver Kemparaju said, “I saw the car cross the divider and crash into our bus. The windscreen shattered, and shards of glass pierced my face. I managed to apply the brakes in time, preventing further damage. There were 43 passengers on board, and a few sustained minor injuries. The impact was loud as the car was travelling at high speed, and the front portion of the bus was damaged.”
Injured bus passengers were treated and discharged.

The car belonged to Lalith, who had purchased a used vehicle.

An officer said the youths were reportedly on a latenight drive and had given different reasons at home for stepping out. While some told their families they were visiting a temple, others said they would return shortly.

Divider height only 6 inches: Police
Police found that the road divider was barely six inches high and lacked a metal crash barrier. An officer said authorities would be informed about the need to install a proper barrier, and if the divider fails to meet standards, a notice may be issued to the officials concerned.

Families in shock
Harshith was a second-year BCom student at a private college in Rajanukunte, while Lalith worked as a CCTV technician. “A grown-up son has left us,” said Roopa, recalling that Lalith had breakfast at home before telling the family he was going to a temple and would return late.

Danush’s mother, Sunitha, said they learnt about the accident around 6am Sunday. “He took me and my younger son to a bakery and bought us snacks. After we returned, he said he would step out for 10 minutes. We didn’t know he had gone out with friends in a car,” she said, adding that she knew only two of the other boys.