Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, Jan 29: A chain accident claimed the life of an autorickshaw driver after a speeding car rammed into his vehicle and fled the scene near Chedavu in Sampaje, Kodagu district, on Thursday, January 29.

According to police, the autorickshaw was proceeding from Sampaje Gate towards Chedavu when a car coming from behind hit it near the curve close to the Sampaje petrol pump and sped away towards Madikeri without stopping. Following the impact, the autorickshaw overturned, and the driver, who sustained serious injuries, fell onto the road and came under the wheels of a tipper lorry moving in the opposite direction. He died on the spot.

The deceased has been identified as Sundar Chittikkana (56), son of the late Biselumane Ramanna Gowda. Another passenger travelling in the autorickshaw also sustained injuries in the incident.

Sundar had earlier served as a member and vice president of the Sampaje gram panchayat and was actively involved in social work. At the time of the accident, he was ferrying Padmavathi, the mother of gram panchayat member Anita, from Sampaje to her residence near Chedavu.