Truck driver who fled after accident arrested

Thiruvananthapuram: A tanker truck driver, who caused a fatal crash involving a school van allegedly under the influence of alcohol in Attingal on May 21 and fled, was arrested on Monday.

Police tracked down accused Muraleedharan Nair (35), of Vembayam, and arrested him with assistance from locals.

The accident took place when the tanker truck, travelling from Attingal Kacheri Junction towards Alamkode, rammed a vehicle operated by Shine Star Pre-Primary School near Poovanpara around 3.30pm, police said.

Sadanandan (48) of Mudakkal village, who was driving the school van, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Aswathi, a woman travelling in the van, suffered injuries and is undergoing treatment.

Police said the accused was driving the tanker truck carrying black oil, a hazardous substance, at excessive speed and in a reckless manner while being intoxicated. The accused was aware that an accident involving the tanker could have led to leakage of the chemical cargo and posed a serious threat to public safety, police added.