Two Engineering Students Killed in Hyderabad by Alleged Drunk Driver, Pedestrian Injured
In a tragic incident in Hyderabad, two young engineering students lost their lives late on Tuesday night after a speeding car, allegedly driven by a drunk driver, crashed into their parked two-wheeler from behind in the Vanasthalipuram area. The accident also left a pedestrian with injuries, sparking outrage and protests among local residents.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The victims have been identified as K Shiva, aged 20, and N Sandeep Kumar, also 20, both natives of Nalgonda district. They were second-year engineering students at a private college in Hyderabad. Shiva was additionally working part-time as a food delivery executive to support himself.
According to police reports, the incident occurred around 11:30 PM in Omkar Nagar, near a road divider. The two students were seated on their parked two-wheeler at the time. Shiva was wearing a helmet as he was on duty for his delivery job. A car coming from the Sagar Ring Road flyover hit them at high speed, violently flinging both victims into the air before they landed on the road. They sustained severe injuries and died on the spot.
Moments after the initial impact, the vehicle struck a pedestrian, identified as S Sridhar, aged 23, who was crossing the road. He sustained minor injuries in the secondary collision.
Arrest and Legal Action Against the Driver
Police arrested the driver on Wednesday. The accused has been identified as 34-year-old K Ram Kumar Reddy, a businessman from B N Reddy Nagar. He has been booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
His blood alcohol content (BAC) was found to be 150 mg per 100 ml, which far exceeds the permissible limit of 30 mg in India, indicating severe intoxication at the time of the accident.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath
Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene where the victims' two-wheeler got lodged under the car and was dragged for nearly 20 metres before the vehicle crashed into a road divider and overturned after flipping multiple times.
Locals immediately apprehended the driver and handed him over to the police. Liquor bottles were recovered from the car, according to S Ravi Babu, inspector at the Vanasthalipuram police station. He added that the accused had consumed alcohol in Karmanghat and was returning home when the accident occurred. The driver survived the crash due to the deployment of airbags in his car.
Following the incident, a large group of local youths staged a protest, demanding that the driver be handed over to them. Police intervened to disperse the crowd and restore normal traffic flow in the area.
Broader Implications and Community Response
This tragic event highlights the severe consequences of drunk driving, a persistent issue in urban areas like Hyderabad. The loss of two young lives, both students with promising futures, has left the community in shock and mourning.
Authorities are emphasizing the importance of strict enforcement of traffic laws and public awareness campaigns to prevent such incidents in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the need for responsible behavior on the roads.
