A fatal road accident claimed the life of a 29-year-old biker on the Sangli–Ashta stretch near Tung on Thursday night. The mishap occurred around 9.30 pm outside Raya Hi-Tech Nursery when a motorcycle crashed into a stationary truck allegedly left without reflectors, warning signs, or parking lights. The deceased has been identified as Shivkumar Shrikant Patil, a resident of Dhavali in Walwa taluka. His friend, Yashwant Vasant Patil from Farnewadi, who was riding pillion, sustained injuries in the impact. The poorly lit vehicle reportedly posed a serious hazard to oncoming traffic in the dark.
Police said Shivkumar and Yashwant were travelling towards their village on a motorcycle (MH 09 AJ 7436) when they encountered the truck (RJ 09 GD 3943) parked facing Ashta along the roadside. Due to the absence of safety indicators and lighting, Shivkumar allegedly failed to notice the vehicle in time and rammed into it. He suffered severe head injuries and collapsed at the scene. Doctors who examined him confirmed he had died instantly. Yashwant, who was injured in the crash, was rushed to a hospital in Ashta for medical treatment.
Soon after the accident, a large crowd gathered at the location. Alleging negligence on the part of the truck driver for not using reflectors or parking lights, angry locals vandalised the vehicle and set its cabin on fire, reducing it to ashes within minutes. Sangli Rural Police reached the spot, dispersed the mob, and carried out the necessary legal formalities. The body was sent to the Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination. A complaint has been filed by the victim’s uncle, Subhash Sampatrao Patil, and a case has been registered against the unidentified truck driver, who fled the scene. The investigation is being conducted by Police Sub-Inspector Ismail Tamboli.