3 of family killed as milk tanker rams scooter in Karnataka, driver detained
Three members of a family, including a nine-year-old girl, were killed after their scooter was hit from behind by a milk tanker in Karnataka’s Mandya district early Tuesday, police said. A man named Muthuraj, his wife Kavya and one of their two daughters died in the accident.
The tanker driver, who fled the spot following the crash, was later detained while police seized the vehicle and launched an investigation. CCTV footage capturing the accident is also being examined to establish the sequence of events.
The accident took place between 5.30 am and 6 am in the Koppa police station limits of Maddur taluk. According to police, the family was travelling towards Bengaluru after attending the Gauri Ganesha festival at Kavya’s parents’ home.
The video shows Kavya riding a pillion with her husband Muthuraj and their two daughters when the milk tanker struck their motorcycle from behind. The impact caused the family to fall on the road. Muthuraj and their nine-year-old daughter Kirthana died on the spot, police said.
Kavya sustained serious injuries in the collision and was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
However, she later succumbed to her injuries. Their 12-year-old daughter survived the crash without suffering any major injuries, according to a senior police officer.
The victims were residents of Koppa and belonged to a family based in Bengaluru South district.
Following the accident, personnel from Koppa police station reached the spot and carried out an inspection.
Police subsequently traced the milk tanker and detained its driver. He is being questioned as investigators seek to determine how the collision occurred and what happened immediately after the crash. Whether he was under the influence of alcohol while driving or not has not been confirmed by the cops.
Mandya Superintendent of Police (SP) Shobharani also visited the mortuary at Mandya MIMS Hospital following the incident. Police have registered a case and are examining available evidence, including CCTV footage that recorded the crash.
Investigators are now working to establish the exact circumstances leading to the fatal collision and determine the tanker driver's role in the incident. Further action will follow based on the findings of the ongoing probe.- EndsWith PTI inputsPublished By: Vivek Published On: Sep 15, 2026 17:28 IST
