Balasore: A road accident on National Highway-16 near Jamujhadi in Odisha's Balasore district claimed the life of one person and left another seriously injured after a speeding car belonging to West Bengal MLA Goutam Chowdhury collided with a scooter today.

As per reports, the mishap took place around 10:30 AM when the MLA’s car, en route to West Bengal from Puri, struck a scooter that was crossing the highway. According to eyewitnesses, the car was moving at high speed when it rammed into the two-wheeler from the side, causing severe damage.

The two riders on the scooter were immediately rushed to Simulia Hospital, where one of them, identified as Radhakanta Lenka, a resident of Sajanpur in Sora area, was declared dead. The other person, said to be a relative of the deceased, is undergoing treatment and remains in critical condition.

MLA Goutam Chowdhury and five members of his family, who were travelling in the car, escaped unhurt.

Simulia police reached the accident site soon after being informed and have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.