Milk vendor run over by patrol vehicle at Triplicane

Around 4.30 am, Vimala (48), was walking on the footpath distributing milk packets to houses on Bharathi Salai. Vijayaprakash (26), the constable, and Sub-Inspector Christy Raj were inside the patrol car plying to Bells Road junction from Zam Bazzar. When they reached Bharathi Salai, a cow crossed the street. Vijayaprakash hit the brakes and swerved the vehicle to avoid hitting the animal. However, he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and it rode on to the footpath. The car hit a stationary tri-cycle before knocking down Vimala. She suffered grievous head injuries.  

The two policemen rushed her to the Government Royapettah Hospital in an auto where doctors declared her brought dead. A police source said the mishap occurred as the area was poorly-lit and the street lights were not working. Vimala was living with her two children, including a college-going girl, on V R Pillai Street in Triplicane after being separated from her husband Krishnamurthy. She earned a living by selling milk packets from door-to-door in Triplicane and also worked as a domestic help. Vijayaprakash is as a Grade two police constable in the modern control room and lived in the police quarters in Pudupet. The Anna Square Traffic Investigation wing has registered a case under IPC 279 and 304 (a). Vijayaprakash has been remanded.