Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question

Bengaluru: 

The chilling crash of a Volvo SUV near Bengaluru yesterday, which claimed six lives, has sparked a conversation on how safe cars may not make a difference unless our roads are made safer. The Volvo XC90, considered the gold standard in car safety, was crushed by a container truck that jumped the divider on the Nelmangala-Tumkuru highway.

The victims have been identified as Chandram Yegapagol (48), his wife Gourabai (42), his son Gyan (16), daughter Deeksha (12) sister-in-law Vijayalakshmi (36) and Vijayalakshmi’s daughter Arya (6). Chandram Yegapagol was the managing director and CEO of IAST Software Solutions, a Bengaluru-based automotive solutions firm, and had reportedly bought the SUV just two months back.

According to reports, the family was going to Sangli in neighbouring Maharashtra to meet Chandram’s father. Police have told The Times of India that he was driving safely and was “not at fault”.