A chaotic 15-kilometer chase involving a container truck unfolded on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles and injured people. The incident began when the truck driver allegedly hit a two-wheeler and attempted to flee, triggering a dramatic pursuit by the public and police.
Panic and Pursuit on City Outskirts
The chain of events was set in motion around noon in Besthamanahalli. The container truck, driven by Prem Kumar with cleaner Om Narayan onboard, collided with a two-wheeler. Police reported that the duo had taken the truck out for grocery shopping. The rider of the two-wheeler sustained minor injuries in this initial impact.
When bystanders tried to intervene and stop the truck, the driver panicked. Instead of halting, he accelerated and sped away from the scene. Alert locals immediately raised an alarm and began chasing the massive vehicle. Their efforts were soon joined by two policemen from the Anekal station who were on patrol nearby and were alerted by the public.
A Trail of Collisions and Injuries
The reckless escape attempt quickly escalated into a dangerous situation on busy roads. During the chase, the container truck rammed an autorickshaw in Anekal. A woman passenger, Nirosha (35), was injured in this collision, suffering fractures to her leg and hand. She was rushed to a private hospital for treatment.
The pursuit stretched for nearly 15 kilometers, causing widespread panic. At one point, two-wheeler riders managed to bring the truck to a brief halt, but it lurched forward again as an agitated crowd tried to pull the driver from the cabin. The truck's rampage continued when it hit a car near Anekal around 12:45 pm, injuring another woman occupant. Witnesses recounted that riders following the truck were shouting repeatedly, pleading with the driver to stop.
Driver's Fear and Final Interception
Despite several brave attempts by the public to block the vehicle's path, the driver continued his desperate flight. He later told police that he was driven by a fear of being caught and assaulted. The chase finally ended near Chandapura, where the truck was intercepted. By then, the public's frustration had peaked, and people pelted stones at the truck's front windshield.
An angry crowd surrounded the vehicle and allegedly assaulted the driver before police could reach the spot and bring the volatile situation under control. In total, six vehicles were damaged: one two-wheeler, one autorickshaw, and four cars. Police confirmed that four people were injured in the entire incident.
CK Baba, Superintendent of Police for Bengaluru District, provided clarification, stating that preliminary checks showed the driver was not under the influence of alcohol. "The driver attempted to escape out of fear after the initial accident. Given the size of the container truck, it was difficult to stop it immediately, which led to further collisions," Baba explained. Driver Prem Kumar is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.
