A speeding car hit a bike on the Biju Expressway near Jhagrahi (Malimunda) under Komna police station in Nuapada district on Tuesday evening, killing the rider instantly.
The victim, identified as Indramani Majhi (58), worked as a postal peon in Jhagrahi village.
The accident occurred around 6 pm when the bike collided head-on with the car. Local residents rushed Majhi to Komna hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. Komna police reached the spot quickly, seized the car involved in the crash (registration number OD-26C-5777), and confirmed that the driver fled immediately after the collision.
On Wednesday, the victim’s family and villagers staged a protest outside Komna police station. They demanded the immediate arrest of the absconding driver and compensation for the bereaved family. District administration officials intervened, assuring strict action against the driver. Authorities also provided Rs 10,000 in cash from the Red Cross fund to the family.
Police registered a case (No. 12/26) and began further investigation. After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family. The seized car remains in police custody.
The tragic incident has sparked anger among locals, who urged authorities to take stronger measures to prevent accidents on the busy Biju Expressway. The community emphasised that reckless driving continues to endanger lives and demanded accountability from law enforcement.
