Hyderabad drunk driving accident: Third member of victim family succumbs

The third member of a family hit by a tragic accident caused by a youngster driving a car rashly under the influence of alcohol, died on Monday.

Madhusudhana Chary, 68 succumbed at a private hospital, taking to three the death toll in the July 1 accident in Banjara Hills here.

The tragedy struck his family when they were returning home after her granddaughter Ramya's first day at her school.

A car coming from opposite direction being driven rashly by an engineering student under the influence of alcohol lost control and rammed into the divider, flung into the air and fell on to the car carrying Chary and his family members.

Chary's son Rajesh, 35, who was driving Santro, died on the spot while Ramya, 10, who was declared brain dead, succumbed on July 9.

Ramya's mother Radhika and another uncle sustained grievous injuries. The girl's father was not with the family at the time of the accident.

After Chary was pronounced dead on Monday, his family members staged a protest, demanding justice. Chary's injured son Ramesh, who was on a stretcher, too joined the protest, demanding action against six students responsible for the accident. They alleged that the action was not being taken against the students involved as they come from influential families.

Shravil, 20, who was at the wheels of the i10, escaped unhurt while five friends accompanying him sustained minor injuries. They were all allegedly drunk and were returning from a cinema theatre.

Shravil was arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The incident led to police launching a massive drive against liquor shops and bars serving liquor to minors. The traffic police also began a drive against drunk and rash driving.

--IANS

ms/vd