Shivamogga: The driver of a private sleeper bus involved in a crash at Javanagondanahalli in Chitradurga district passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025. Mohammed Rafeek, 38, from Hulagur village in Haveri district, was seriously injured in the accident on Thursday, December 25. He was admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi but died early morning Friday. Chitradurga SP Ranjit Kumar Bandaru confirmed this latest death. Initially treated at Hiriyur and then Chitradurga Government Hospital, Rafeek was taken by family to KIMS for further care. The bus collided with a container truck near Javanagondanahalli. Five passengers and the truck driver died instantly when the truck hit the bus’s fuel tank, sparking a fire. With Rafeek’s death, the total fatalities have reached seven.