Former minister injured; wife, driver killed in road mishap

Former minister and Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (APCOB) Chairman Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao escaped with minor injuries while his wife and driver died when the car they were travelling in turned turtle near Tukkuguda here, police said today. The incident occurred on the Outer Ring Road at around midnight yesterday. Rao along with his wife Satyavani were on their way to Hyderabad from Vijayawada, Pahadisharif Police Station Sub-Inspector Sudhakar said. The rear left wheel of the vehicle came off and the driver Tenali Das lost control after which the SUV hit the railing before turning turtle. Satyavani and Das (both aged 52) were killed on the spot, Sudhakar said. According to the police, Rao suffered minor injuries as he was wearing the seat belt and remained inside the car while his wife and the driver, who were not wearing the seat belts, were thrown out following overturning of the SUV. Rao, a native of Krishna district, has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital here.