A motorcycle rider lost his life after a luxury car allegedly rammed into his bike near the Shastri Nagar traffic signal in Bhubaneswar late Monday night. Police have launched an investigation into the fatal accident.
The deceased has been identified as Debi Prasad Rautray, a resident of Nuasahi.
Victim reportedly waiting at traffic signal
According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred at around 11 pm when Rautray was waiting at the traffic signal. A Mercedes-Benz, reportedly travelling at high speed, allegedly hit his motorcycle from behind.
The impact threw the rider off the bike and caused severe injuries. Eyewitnesses claimed the victim was dragged for nearly 150 to 200 metres before the luxury car came to a halt. The force of the collision also reportedly triggered the deployment of the vehicle’s airbags.
Local residents and police rushed the injured rider to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him dead.
Occupants detained as crowd gathers
Following the crash, local residents stopped the man and woman travelling in the Mercedes before police arrived.
Some eyewitnesses alleged that the occupants appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. However, police have not officially confirmed this claim, and the investigation is ongoing.
As tensions rose, police personnel from Kharavel Nagar Police Station reached the spot and shifted the man to the police station, while the woman was taken to the women’s police station. The incident led to a road blockade, disrupting traffic in the area for nearly two hours.
FIR registered, investigation continues
The victim’s wife and family members lodged an FIR at Kharavel Nagar Police Station, demanding strict legal action against those responsible.
Police said the Mercedes involved in the crash bears a West Bengal registration number. The identities of the vehicle’s occupants have not yet been officially disclosed, and authorities are verifying whether they are residents of Odisha or another state.
