CHENNAI: Two persons were killed, and three others seriously injured after a lorry rammed an autorickshaw on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway near Sriperumbudur on Friday night.
The police said Surya (23), an autorickshaw driver from Katchipattu village near Sriperumbudur, celebrated his birthday by hosting a party for fellow drivers on Friday. After the party, Surya and four others were travelling in an autorickshaw driven by his friend Thanu (22).
The autorickshaw reached near a hotel on the highway, and the driver allegedly attempted to cross the road from the wrong side when the accident occurred. A speeding lorry approaching from the opposite direction rammed into the vehicle.
Under the impact, the autorickshaw got crushed. Thanu, who was driving, and Dhanapal (42), who was seated beside him, died on the spot due to severe injuries. Surya and two others sustained grievous injuries.
On being alerted, the Sriperumbudur police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the government hospital in Sriperumbudur. They were later referred to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for further treatment. The bodies of the deceased were sent for a post-mortem examination.
A case has been registered, and police are searching for the lorry driver, who fled the scene.