“The preliminary probe has revealed that the car rammed into a roadside bridge and cartwheeled. Eranna Bilagi and Shankar Bilagi died on the spot, and Mahantesh Bilagi died on the way to the hospital. Iranna died on Wednesday morning,” said a police officer.

“It is still unclear why the driver veered the steering. Some eyewitnesses said he did so to avoid an accident with a two-wheeler, while others said he did so to avoid hitting a dog. We are yet to get clarity,” the officer added.

Based on a complaint by Bilagi’s relative, Basavaraj Kamaratagi, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Arokya Anthony Raj, the driver of the car carrying the IAS officer and his relatives.

The Jewargi police have booked Anthony Raj under sections 281 (rash or negligent driving or riding on a public way), 125(a) (hurt or endanger human life or personal safety due to rash or negligent behaviour), 125(b) (acts that endanger the life or personal safety of others), and 106 (causing death by a rash or negligent act) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Anthony Raj, who is being treated at a private hospital in Kalaburagi, is out of danger. He sustained fractures to the bones on both sides of his chest, according to doctors.

Adduru Srinivasulu, Superintendent of Police, Kalaburagi, and a team from the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory inspected the accident site Wednesday. Srinivasulu said the exact cause and vehicle speed will be definitively established only after receiving the forensic science laboratory report.

IAS officer Bilagi was laid to rest with full state honours at his plantation in Ramdurg Wednesday, as colleagues and officials paid their final respects.

A 2012 batch IAS officer, Bilagi was elevated from the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS). He was a gold medalist in Sociology during his graduation, and emerged as a gold medalist in post-graduation in English literature at Karnataka University, Dharwad.

He served as the special land acquisition officer at the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board, Davanagere AC; Haveri ZP deputy secretary; Bidar ZP CEO; Davanagere district collector; and BESCOM Managing Director.