4 killed as car rams pedastrains, truck on NH-16 in in Vizianagaram district

Visakhapatnam: Four persons, including two pedestrians, were killed and another sustained serious injuries when an overspeeding car struck pedestrians before crashing into a stationary truck on NH-16 near Perapuram under Pusapatirega mandal in Vizianagaram district late Monday night.The deceased were identified as Karunakaran Srinivasa Rao (57) of Visakhapatnam, Kallampudi Simhachalam of Jogipeta in Vizianagaram district, and brothers Sadanapalli Ramu and Sadanapalli Ramesh of Gangupeta in Srikakulam district.Police said a group of contractors were travelling from Srikakulam to Visakhapatnam when the driver, reportedly at 140 kmph, lost control. The car first hit Ramu and Ramesh, who had stepped onto the road after tea at a local stall, before ramming into the rear of a parked lorry.Three persons — the two pedestrians and one car occupant — died instantly. Another occupant succumbed while being shifted to the govt hospital in Vizianagaram. A fifth person, also in the car, was admitted to a Visakhapatnam hospital with severe injuries.Vizianagaram district police chief AR Damodhar said preliminary investigation confirmed overspeeding as the cause. The car was travelling at nearly 140 kmph. The impact completely damaged the front portion of the vehicle," he noted. Police have registered a case and are probing further to establish the exact circumstances.The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of reckless driving on national highways, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of speed limits and awareness campaigns to curb rash driving.