A 26-year-old man died and six others were injured after a Tempo Traveller crashed into an electric pole on the central median of Nagarabhavi Outer Ring Road in Bengaluru early Sunday, police said. The accident took place around 1.30am near Sri Male Mahadeshwara Temple as the vehicle was travelling towards Nagarabhavi.
The deceased was identified as Manoj Kumar S, a resident of Laggere and an office assistant at a private firm. He was travelling with friends to Mysuru for a one-day trip when the accident occurred. Police said Manoj was thrown out of the vehicle during the crash and came under its wheels.
He was taken to Victoria Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The six other passengers were shifted to hospitals for treatment and were reported to be out of danger.
According to Jnanabharathi traffic police, the Tempo Traveller, bearing registration number KA-41-C-7812, was being driven by 28-year-old Ravi from Sumanahalli towards Nagarabhavi. Police said the vehicle was travelling at high speed and in a negligent manner before the driver lost control and hit the median pole.
A case has been registered against Ravi for rash and negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the police. Witnesses had alleged that some youths were performing wheelies, but police ruled this out. Investigators instead said the crash occurred while it was raining and that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
The fatal crash was one of three accidents reported within approximately 500 metres of the same stretch of the Outer Ring Road around midnight on Saturday. In another incident, a mini goods vehicle carrying food for an apartment was hit by a private bus and crashed. No injuries were reported in that collision.
Further ahead, a Mitsubishi Canter struck the side wall of an underpass, damaging the barrier and leaving the vehicle hanging precariously over the bridge. Police did not report any injuries in that incident.
The investigation into the Tempo Traveller crash is continuing. The police case against the driver will determine the next legal steps in the matter.
