DMK Rajya Sabha MP NR Elango’s son passed away in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday, March 10. Rakesh, who was 22, was on his way to Puducherry with a friend and was travelling on the East Coast Road (ECR) from Chennai when his car crashed into a divider at Keelputhupet near Kottakuppam.

The incident took place near Puthuvai in Villupuram district. Police are investigating the matter. According to the police, Rakesh and his friend were on their way to Puducherry when the vehicle in which they were travelling reportedly lost control, hit the divider and toppled. Rakesh died on the spot while his friend who was seriously injured has been admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

Local people reached the spot along with fire and rescue personnel and cut open the vehicle to pull out the body. Rakesh’s friend has been admitted to the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) at Kangachettikulam near Puducherry.

In August last year, seven people including the son of Hosur DMK MLA Prakaash Y were killed in a car accident in Bengaluru when a speeding Audi Q3 lost control. They were all aged between 20 to 30 and were staying in paying guest accommodations in the city. The police had then told TNM that the group was driving around the city and that there were three people sitting in front and four in the backseat. The vehicle was mangled in the crash.