Indian driver kills three teenagers in the US in "intentional" hit-and-run

An Indian-origin man from Corona has been arrested after he was suspected of intentionally ramming his vehicle into a car containing six people, sending them hurling into a tree. Three teenage boys were killed while three others have been injured.

The incident happened late Sunday night in the Temescal Valley, just south of Corona. The accused, identified as 42-year-old Anurag Chandra, crashed his vehicle into a Toyota Prius containing six teenage boys which then slammed into a tree at Temescal Canyon Road and Trilogy Parkway, according to an international report.

One of the boys succumbed to his injuries on the spot while the other five were immediately rushed to a hospital, where two more died while receiving treatment. The other three injured boys are expected to survive. The victims have been identified as Daniel Hawkins (16), Drake Ruiz (16), and Jacob Ivascu (16). The accused reportedly fled the scene and was nabbed by a few locals who had followed him. They later handed him over to the police.

“It was an intentional act. Our investigation led us to believe Mr. Chandra intentionally rammed the Prius, causing the driver to lose control,” an investigating official reportedly said. The lieutenant added that the investigation has now changed from a hit-run collision to homicide.

“There is no greater tragedy than the death of a young person, and we offer our sincere condolences and continued support to the families. Counselors will be on campus tomorrow morning (Tuesday) to provide support for students and staff and will be in place for as long as necessary, as this tragic news impacts our entire school community. Again, the district wishes to convey our wholehearted condolences to all those affected by this sudden loss,” the Corona-Norco Unified School District reportedly said in a statement.