An 18-year-old college student lost his life after being struck by a speeding truck near the Kosasthalai river bridge in Manali on Saturday evening.

  • 18-year-old student Lokesh killed in a hit-and-run near Manali.
  • Accident occurred on the Kosasthalai river bridge at Nappalayam.
  • The offending truck fled the scene immediately after the impact.
  • Police have registered a case and are conducting a manhunt for the vehicle.

A devastating road accident claimed the life of an 18-year-old college student near Manali on Saturday evening, August 29, 2026. The victim, identified as Lokesh, was a resident of Ponneri and a student at a private polytechnic college located in the Manali area.

According to reports from the Avadi Police Commissionerate, the incident took place while Lokesh was commuting home from his college. As he was crossing the Kosasthalai river bridge at Nappalayam, a speeding truck struck him with immense force. The impact was so severe that Lokesh was thrown from the path, sustaining fatal head injuries that led to his immediate death at the scene.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the increasing frequency of hit-and-run cases on major bridges and arterial roads highlights a critical gap in traffic enforcement and vehicle speed regulation. Such incidents underscore the urgent need for better surveillance and stricter penalties for heavy vehicle drivers in peri-urban corridors.

Law enforcement experts suggest that the lack of immediate response from commercial drivers in hit-and-run scenarios necessitates enhanced CCTV coverage on high-risk bridges.

Following the incident, the Redhills Traffic Investigation Wing was alerted. The deceased's body was subsequently transported to Government Stanley Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and facilitate legal proceedings.

The local police have officially filed a case regarding the accident. Investigations are currently underway to identify the registration number of the truck and track its movement through regional transit routes. Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Did You Know?: Hit-and-run accidents are often harder to solve due to the high speeds involved, which can make visual identification of vehicles difficult for witnesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Where exactly did the accident occur?
Answer: The accident happened on the Kosasthalai river bridge near Nappalayam, close to Manali.

Question 2: What is the current status of the police investigation?
Answer: A case has been registered, and the police are actively searching for the truck that fled the scene.