Ranchi, July 12: A 45-year-old kanwariya was killed and 18 others were injured when an overloaded passenger car collided head-on with a truck at Khoripanan area on Deoghar-Bihar border on NH-33 around 7am today.

The accident spot is around 15km from Jasidih police station, 30km from Deoghar and over 350km from the capital city.

The deceased was identified as Arun Kumar Mandal, a resident of Jalalgarh village in Purnea district of Bihar. Arun was driving the car that was carrying kanwariyas back to Bihar from Deoghar. The driver of the truck fled the spot, leaving the vehicle behind.

Dushyant Singh, a sub-inspector of Jasidih police station, who rushed to the spot, said poor visibility coupled with overloading and speeding led to the accident. "We have rushed the 18 injured to Deoghar Sadar Hospital. They are said to be out of danger."

A case has been filed against the owner of the truck bearing the registration number UP13 T-9199.

Singh, however, couldn't shed light on the contents of the truck. "We have detained it for further probe," he said.

According to Singh, the kanwariyas were heading home in the overcrowded MUV after offering puja at Baidyanath temple when the accident happened.

"It is always risky. Going by the statements of some of the injured, many were seated on rooftops while some were hanging out of the car. The driver may have lost his balance," Singh said.