The deceased have been identified as Malti Sahu, 35, and her son Rajendra Sahu, 22. Rajendra’s father, Raju Sahu, 40, sustained minor injuries and was admitted to a local hospital for treatment. The family’s younger son, Jageshwar Sahu, remained unharmed.
According to reports, the Sahu family, originally from Jamgaon in Bemetara district, worked as laborers in Pune. They began their return journey on the evening of January 9 around 4 pm. Traveling in two two-wheelers, the family had covered approximately 973 kilometers and reached Patharia by January 10 night.
The collision took place around 10:45 pm on January 10 when the bike (MH-50-Y-6197) carrying Malti and Rajendra hit a Hiwa truck (CG-25-M-7574) that was parked in a broken-down condition. Eyewitnesses said the truck lacked hazard indicators, reflectors, or warning signs, making it difficult for oncoming vehicles to notice it in the dark.
Emergency services rushed the injured mother and son to Ahivara Government Hospital via 112 ambulance, where they were declared dead by the doctors. Raju Sahu, who suffered minor injuries, later filed a complaint at Nandini police station against the truck driver, alleging negligent parking on the road.
Police officials confirmed that an investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact circumstances of the accident. The incident highlights the dangers posed by improperly parked vehicles, particularly at night, and underscores the need for clear safety measures such as reflectors, hazard lights, and adequate road signage.
Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution during night travel and ensure vehicles are visible to others to prevent similar tragedies. The Durg-Bhilai administration is expected to review safety protocols on highways to improve night-time visibility and reduce accidents.
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