BENGALURU: Tension prevailed at Hegde Nagar Circle near Sampigehalli on Sunday after a speeding car hit a 59-year-old motorist, killing him on the spot. The car, in which three students hailing from Tanzania were travelling, dragged the victim’s body for nearly 100 metres before coming to a stop. A crowd which witnessed the accident, thrashed the driver before police reached the scene. It was reported in Chikkajala traffic police station.
The deceased was Veluswamy, a resident of Hegde Nagar, who was a milk vendor. The student driving the car has been identified as Kelvin (22), a BCA student in a private college.
Following the accident, the residents of Hegde Nagar held a protest. They alleged that all the students were under the influence of alcohol. They also put up posters of the students, calling them ‘killers’.
A senior police officer said that the accident occurred around 6 am when Veluswamy was on his way to distribute milk to nearby shops. He was heading towards Thanisandra when the speeding Opel Astra car hit his TVS motorcycle from behind.
He was crushed under the wheels and the body was dragged. Immediately after the accident, two of Kelvin’s friends, who are said to be his classmates, tried to escape.
During interrogation, Kelvin said that they had gone to a friend’s place for a party and were returning home, police said. The car belongs to Kelvin. Police are verifying their visas and other documents. Police said Kelvin was drunk as the alcometer test showed the reading as 184mg. The permissible limit is 30mg/100 ml.
“We sent the accused for medical tests to ascertain whether they were under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, we have asked the college authorities to give more details about them,” the police officer said. Kelvin was handed over to judicial custody after interrogation.