A truck hit an e-rickshaw near Paithani Chowk in Patna district early Wednesday, killing two ward members and critically injuring another passenger, after which residents blocked NH-31 to demand compensation and action against the driver.
The crash occurred around 6.15am in Pandarak block, when Suresh Prasad and Lalu Kumar, both ward members of Paithani village, and Sanjeet Kumar were loading vegetables onto the e-rickshaw. The vehicle was preparing to travel to Barh Bazaar Samiti when the truck struck it from behind, according to police.
Local residents helped take all three men to Barh sub-divisional hospital. Doctors declared Prasad and Kumar dead. Sanjeet Kumar sustained serious injuries and was later referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
The deaths prompted residents to protest at the site and block the busy highway. The blockade led to long queues of vehicles on both sides of NH-31 and disrupted movement for commuters using the route.
Pandarak police station SHO Navneet Rai and a police team reached Paithani Chowk after receiving information about the crash. Police officials spoke to the protesters, following which traffic movement was restored on the highway.
Rai told the Times of India that the truck driver fled after the collision. He said the vehicle’s registration number had been captured on CCTV footage and that police were attempting to identify and arrest the driver.
The crash occurred during the early-morning period when the victims were loading produce beside the highway. The police investigation is focused on tracing the truck and determining the circumstances that led to the collision. The injured survivor remains under treatment at PMCH, while residents have sought compensation for the families of those killed.
