Laxmi Hebbalkar sustained minor injuries in the accident
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.
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.
