The victims — Tanka Patra, his wife, and their 11-year-old daughter — were residents of Bahadapashi village in Deogarh district. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the truck collided with the motorcycle from behind, leading to the family falling and subsequently being run over. All three lost their lives instantly.

The truck was apprehended near the Janasanpur toll gate and confiscated by the Telkoi police, who have initiated an investigation. This incident sparked significant protests in the region, with local residents demanding immediate action to address the frequent accidents occurring on NH-49. Traffic was halted for several hours, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway.

This heartbreaking incident has reignited discussions about reckless driving and the lack of adequate safety measures on Odisha’s highways, leading to calls for more stringent enforcement and preventive strategies.