Reckless driver claims a 17-year-old's life on her birthday

Colombo (News 1st): A 17-year-old student died untimely in the Delgoda town in Gampaha today (December 9) due to the recklessness of a driver. Mandhi Haresha's 17th birthday falls today, however, instead of celebrating her birthday, her residence was being prepared to welcome her remains. Young Mandhi had gone to her grandfather's residence yesterday to celebrate his birthday and returned to her residence at about 2:00 pm. The accident had occurred when a van driver drove recklessly as she approached her home in Pagoda, which is in close proximity to the Delgoda town. Speaking to News 1st an eye witness explained the incident:

"The man drove the vehicle with difficulty as he was under the influence. He turned on to the road and took off. Then he blew a tyre. It is for that noise that we came onto the road. We went after him. If the tyre didn't blow, he would have gone on."

While residents took steps to hand over the guilty driver to the Meegahawatte Police, young Mandhi Haresha had lost her life on the spot. The driver, a resident of Mandawela, was presented before the Mahara Magistrate Court and was remanded till the 23rd of December. The deceased is the second in a family of three. She was reading arts for her Advanced Level exams. Mandhi Heresha's final rites will take place next Wednesday at the Fergus Junction Cemetery.