Teen riding two-wheeler leaves 76-year-old man bedridden

Teen riding two-wheeler leaves 76-year-old man bedridden

Sindhu.Kannan@timesofindia.com 16.04.2025

Chennai : A 76-year-old man, who once led an active life, now lies confined to his bed after being struck by a scooter driven by a minor at Saligramam. The minor, who caused the accident four days ago, has been sent to a juvenile home for violation of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules and his mother was arrested and later released on bail. At 7.30pm on April 11, the victim, Sampath, a resident of Kambar Street, was on his way to buy some groceries when the accident took place. 

Eyewitnesses said Sampath was walking on the side of the road when the 16-yearold boy lost control of the vehicle and rammed him, flinging him into the air. Neighbours rushed to his aid and took him to a nearby private hospital, where he was kept under observation for two days. Sampath is now bedridden. Family said doctors have diagnosed him with a brain clot, a fractured nose and hand after the accident. "My father does not have any major health issues. He took care of me and my mother, Radha. This accident has turned our lives upside down," said his son, S R Chakaravarthy, a former video jockey and character artist. “He will have to use some medicines for the rest of his life,” he said. “Many teens fail to understand the gravity of such accidents. Lack of strict enforcement has allowed them to continue using vehicles without valid licences,” he said. 

The Pondy Bazaar traffic investigation wing regis tered an FIR and arrested the minor and his mother. While the teen was booked on the charges of rash and negligent driving and his mother was facing charges for allowing him to ride the vehicle. The boy has been sent to an observation home, while his mother was released on bail. Sampath's family says they are now grappling with mounting hospital bills. Chakaravarthy also expressed concern over the growing number of underage riders in his locality, urging police to take stricter action to prevent such incidents. 

Careful parents, you’ll be caught too 

Chennai : Parents or guardians can face up to three years in jail and a fine of ₹25,000 if their underage child is involved in a road accident as per the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, implemented since 2022, city police said. The child will be sent to a juvenile home. On April 9, a 14-year-old boy, who drove his father’s car hit two pedestrians. One of them, Mahalingam, an elderly succumbed to the injuries at a hospital. Police arrested the boy’s father and sent the minor to an observation home. 

With summer vacation in full swing, authorities are urging parents to be extra vigilant. “Children often take vehicles without permission during holidays. If any minor is caught driving, we will take strict action against the parents,” said deputy commissioner of police, traffic, south, P Kumar. Parents will be held directly accountable for any negligence, he said. “We are not just looking at enforcement but prevention of accidents,” he added. TNN