Yellapur: A tragic road accident in the early hours of Wednesday claimed the lives of three members of a family when a speeding lorry collided head-on with their car at the lower section of Arabail Ghat in Uttara Kannada district. The deceased have been identified as P. R. Venkatesh, his wife Chaitra R. (31), and their seven-month-old baby Srihan.

According to reports, the accident occurred when a lorry, driven by Prashant Kumbar from Vijayapura, was traveling at high speed from Yellapur towards Ankola. The lorry, attempting to overtake another vehicle near the Maruti Temple in Arabail Ghat, veered slightly to the right and crashed into the oncoming car carrying the victims.

The impact was so severe that the car was completely crushed. Chaitra and her infant son died on the spot, while Venkatesh, who sustained critical injuries, was initially taken to Yellapur hospital and later shifted to Dharwad hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Venkatesh’s brother, Shrikanth Reddy, who was also in the car, suffered serious leg injuries and has been hospitalized for further treatment.

The police have registered a case at Yellapur police station against the lorry driver, Prashant Kumbar. Investigations are being carried out under the supervision of PSI Yallaling Kunnur. Senior officials, including CPI Ramesh Hanapur and Sirsi DySP Ganesh K.L., visited the accident site to assess the situation. Both the lorry and the car were extensively damaged in the crash.