RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – A fatal hit-and-run crash in Ngawi, East Java, killed two school-age brothers on Wednesday evening after their motorcycle reportedly collided with another vehicle before a truck struck them on the Ngawi-Mantingan highway. The two victims suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene, prompting police to launch a manhunt for the drivers who fled.
Muhammad Hasyim Nurdilah, 16, and Ahmad Lubul Akil, 10, both lived in Kawu Village, Kedunggalar District, Ngawi Regency. The brothers were returning home from school when the crash happened in Ngale Village, Paron District, along the busy provincial road connecting Ngawi and Mantingan.
Witnesses said the brothers rode a Honda Beat scooter with license plate AE 5483 JT from Ngawi toward Mantingan, traveling from east to west. Initial accounts suggest the motorcycle struck another vehicle moving in the same direction moments before the riders lost control and fell onto the roadway.
Brothers Died After Falling Into Opposite Lane
After the collision, both victims fell toward the center of the road. At the same moment, a truck traveling from the opposite direction ran over them, according to witness statements gathered by police.
Residents who rushed to the scene found the two boys lying beside their motorcycle while still wearing school uniforms.
“They were already lying in the middle of the road and could not move anymore,” one witness said. “Both of them still wore school uniforms.”
Several residents tried to help, but the boys had already died from severe head injuries before emergency responders arrived.
The truck driver immediately fled the area after the crash. Police also suspect another vehicle involved in the earlier collision left the scene before officers arrived.
Videos recorded by residents showed traffic slowing near the accident site as people gathered around the victims while waiting for police and medical teams.
Police Hunt Drivers Who Fled the Scene
Traffic officers from Ngawi Police quickly secured the crash site and started an investigation. Investigators examined the roadway, documented evidence, and questioned witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Medical workers later transported the bodies to RSUD Suroto Ngawi for post-mortem examinations.
Police have not released details about the truck or the other vehicle believed to have triggered the initial collision. Investigators are now gathering witness testimony and searching for surveillance footage from nearby roads and businesses along the Ngawi-Mantingan route.
Hit-and-run accidents involving motorcycles continue to raise concern across Indonesia, especially on provincial highways where trucks and smaller vehicles share narrow roads with limited safety barriers.
The Ngawi-Mantingan highway serves as an important transportation corridor connecting parts of East Java and Central Java. Heavy cargo trucks frequently use the road throughout the day, increasing risks for motorcycle riders and local commuters.
Public Raises Concerns Over Student Safety
The deaths of the two brothers triggered emotional reactions among local residents and social media users, particularly after witnesses confirmed the victims still wore school uniforms during the crash.
Road safety observers have repeatedly warned about the dangers young riders face on busy highways dominated by freight traffic. In many rural areas, students rely heavily on motorcycles for daily transportation because public transit options remain limited.
Police confirmed that the Gakkum Unit of the Ngawi Traffic Police now handles the investigation. Officers urged residents who witnessed the crash or possess information about the fleeing vehicles to contact authorities immediately.
The fatal Ngawi hit-and-run crash has intensified calls for stricter traffic enforcement and stronger road safety measures on major provincial highways. Police continue searching for the drivers involved as the victims’ families mourn the sudden loss of the two brothers.