Karnataka Minister's Toyota Innova Crashes Into Tree, Was Avoiding Dog

Karnataka Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar sustained minor injuries after her car crashed into a tree in Belgavi district this morning.

The accident took place on a highway near Kittur around 5 am when Ms Hebbalkar's driver swerved and lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid hitting a dog that was crossing the road.

The front part of the car, a Toyota Innova HyCross, was completely damaged in the accident, visuals from the spot showed.

The impact of the accident was mitigated by the airbags in the vehicle, which significantly reduced the severity of the injuries, the police said.

Ms Hebbalkar, the Woman and Child Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government, was travelling with her brother, Channaraj Hattiholi, who is a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council.

She was returning after attending a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru last evening.

ಎಐಸಿಸಿ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಹಾಗೂ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಉಸ್ತುವಾರಿಗಳಾದ ರಣದೀಪ್ ಸಿಂಗ್ ಸುರ್ಜೆವಾಲಾ, ಮುಖ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಕೆಪಿಸಿಸಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಡಿ.ಕೆ.ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಅವರ ನೇತ್ರತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಖಾಸಗಿ ಹೋಟೆಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ನ ಶಾಸಕಾಂಗ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದೆ‌.… pic.twitter.com/f2cC4UfpOP

— Laxmi Hebbalkar (@laxmi_hebbalkar) January 13, 2025

As per reports, Ms Hebbalkar, 49, sustained minor injuries with a mild fracture in the leg and will be discharged from the hospital in the next two days. Mr Hattiholi reportedly has a minor injury on his head.

The driver and her gunman also suffered minor injuries and were discharged after first aid.