KKN Gurugram Desk | Two tragic road accidents claimed the lives of two school teachers in Bihar, one in Darbhanga and the other in Muzaffarpur, in separate incidents reported within 24 hours. Both deceased educators were reportedly returning from or heading to personal and professional commitments when they were fatally struck by speeding vehicles.

The accidents occurred under the jurisdiction of Biraul Police Station in Darbhanga and Ahiyapur Police Station in Muzaffarpur, highlighting growing concerns about road safety and traffic law enforcement in the state.

Incident 1: Teacher Crushed to Death by Unidentified Vehicle in Darbhanga

A teacher working at a government school in Kewati, Darbhanga, was tragically killed after being run over by an unidentified vehicle early Sunday morning.

Key Facts:

• Victim Name: Ravindra Yadav, age 29

• Residence: Kaserour village, Ghanshyampur Block, Darbhanga District

• Occupation: Appointed as a teacher via BPSC at Plus Two Higher Secondary School, Kewati

• Incident Location: Supaul-Benipur Road, near Navtol Mahavir Mandir

• Time: Early morning, May 11, 2025

According to initial reports, Ravindra Yadav was on his way toward Benipur on a motorcycle when an unknown vehicle, possibly a truck, struck him from behind and fled the scene.

The Biraul police recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). Investigations are underway, and efforts are being made to identify and trace the vehicle involved in the accident.

Incident 2: Female Teacher from Sitamarhi Killed in Muzaffarpur Collision

In a separate and equally tragic accident, Poonam Verma, a female teacher from Bathanaha in Sitamarhi District, lost her life late Saturday night in a car and bus collision on the Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi highway under Ahiyapur Police Station.

Key Details:

• Deceased: Poonam Verma

• Husband: Arvind Srivastava

• Location: Near Bhikhanpur, Ahiyapur, Muzaffarpur

• Date/Time: Late evening, May 10, 2025

• Vehicle: Tata Tiago (car) collided with a bus

The couple was returning to Sitamarhi after dropping their son off at Patna Airport when a speeding bus lost control and rammed into their car near Bhikhanpur. The impact severely injured all three occupants.

Poonam Verma was rushed to SKMCH (Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital), where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Her husband, Arvind Srivastava, and the car driver are currently undergoing medical care at the same hospital.

The bus involved in the accident has been seized by the Ahiyapur Police, and further investigation is in progress.

Road Safety Concerns in Bihar on the Rise

These back-to-back accidents involving educators have once again highlighted the poor road conditions, lack of traffic regulation enforcement, and reckless driving prevalent in several parts of rural and semi-urban Bihar.

According to a 2024 NCRB report:

• Bihar recorded over 8,000 road accident deaths in the previous year

• More than 30% of these involved two-wheelers

• Hit-and-run cases remain unsolved in 40% of incidents due to lack of CCTV and surveillance

Community and Administrative Response

Local Reactions

The news of the deaths has left the teaching fraternity and local communities in mourning. Ravindra Yadav, who had only recently joined his teaching post, was remembered as a dedicated educator with aspirations to uplift rural education.

Poonam Verma was widely respected in her district for her contribution to girl child education and was actively involved in literacy campaigns in north Bihar.

Police Action

Both incidents are under active investigation, with:

• Darbhanga Police focusing on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to track the fleeing vehicle

• Muzaffarpur Police registering a case under Sections related to rash driving and culpable homicide

The bus driver in the Muzaffarpur accident has been detained, and statements are being recorded from witnesses and family members.

Preventive Measures Suggested by Experts

Road safety analysts and retired IPS officers have suggested:

1. Installation of speed cameras on highways and accident-prone areas

2. Mandatory GPS tracking for commercial vehicles, especially buses

3. Improved lighting and signage on rural roads

4. Public awareness campaigns about safe driving, especially among youth

5. State-level road safety audits in collaboration with traffic experts

Legal Provisions and Compensation

As per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, families of accident victims are entitled to:

• ₹5 lakh compensation in case of death

• ₹2.5 lakh for grievous injury, irrespective of insurance status

• Option to pursue criminal negligence charges if rash or drunken driving is involved

Both families are expected to initiate the legal claims process through local authorities and insurance agencies.

The untimely deaths of Ravindra Yadav and Poonam Verma not only expose the fragile road infrastructure in Bihar but also serve as a somber reminder of the lack of systemic reforms in traffic safety. As two educators lost their lives on the road, the state must act urgently to improve road safety, enforce traffic regulations, and prevent such avoidable tragedies.