Udupi: Car crashes into vehicles after brake failure; Two-wheeler rider killed

Team Udayavani, Oct 9, 2024, 6:17 PM IST

Udupi: Deepesh Devadiga (36), a resident of Padubidri and an employee at Manipal Unit-5, tragically passed away in Manipal Hospital on Wednesday after succumbing to injuries sustained in an accident. He was struck by a speeding Eeco vehicle while returning from a visit to the Indrali Temple.

The accident occurred when Deepesh was walking along the road near the temple. He had parked his two-wheeler and was on foot when the vehicle, approaching at high speed from behind, hit him. Deepesh suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital but he passed away. He is survived by his parents and wife.

Deepesh, along with his friend Praveen from Parkala, had visited the temple on a two-wheeler earlier that day. After parking the vehicle, they were walking when the speeding Eeco hit them. Praveen sustained minor injuries and is recovering in Manipal Hospital. Four to five other pedestrians escaped with minor injuries in the mishap.

Cause of the Accident
Witnesses say the vehicle was parked on the roadside with passengers inside, waiting for someone. Suddenly, it lurched forward at high speed. Some eyewitnesses speculate that the brakes failed, leading to the accident. However, others are questioning how a relatively new vehicle could suffer brake failure. Another possibility is that the driver, in a moment of panic due to the large number of people on the road, mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brake.

An Accomplished Sports Enthusiast
Deepesh had a deep passion for cricket and regularly participated in matches across Padubidri, Mangaluru, Udupi, and Manipal. He was also actively involved in cricket tournaments organized by the Manipal institution.