DMK MP Elango’s son dies in car accident on East Coast Road

DMK Rajya Sabha MP, N R Elango’s son Rakesh Ranganathan, 22, was on his way from Chennai to Puducherry. His friend and co-passenger K Vedha Vikash, 21, sustained grievous injuries in the crash.

CHENNAI: The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) Rajya Sabha MP, N R Elango’s son Rakesh Ranganathan, 22, died in a road accident near Kottakuppam on the East Coast Road while he was on his way from Chennai to Puducherry in the wee hours of Thursday, police said. His friend and co-passenger K Vedha Vikash, 21, sustained grievous injuries in the crash.

DMK MP, N R Elango’ son Rakesh Ranganathan was driving the car at a high speed when a cow suddenly crossed the road. When he tried to avoid hitting the cow, it hit a divider, police said.

“Ranganathan was at the wheel and he died on the spot. We have handed over his body to his family,” deputy superintendent of police (DSP), B Arun, of Kottakuppam in Villupuram told HT. “The car was travelling at a high speed when a cow suddenly crossed the road. When they tried to avoid hitting the cow, they lost balance and it hit a divider,” he added.

The vehicle toppled in the impact. Police used a JCB to retrieve the vehicle. Locals and personnel from the fire and rescue service rushed to the spot to immediately help with the rescue. Vikas, 21 was then taken to the Puducherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) where he is currently undergoing treatment.

Following the incident, several DMK leaders expressed their condolences.