Mumbai: A 52-year-old former Indian Navy personnel died after a speeding truck hit his two-wheeler near Kamraj Nagar in Ghatkopar East and ran away. The accident took place on Friday evening, leaving the victim seriously injured, resulting in his death the next day.

The Pant Nagar police have registered an FIR against the unknown truck driver for causing death by negligence and have launched a manhunt to trace the driver.

“After receiving the call about the accident, our patrol team reached the spot and learned that the victim, identified as Vijay Kumar Joshi, was hit by a speeding dumper from behind. He was thrown several meters into the air and hit the road. A JCB driver on duty, identified as Manir Ansari, took Vijay to Rajawadi Hospital, which is about ten minutes away from the accident site on the Eastern Express Highway,” said an officer.

Officers recovered Vijay’s phone and wallet from the spot and learned that he worked as a petty officer in the Indian Navy. In the Navy, a petty officer is a non-commissioned officer who ranks above enlisted personnel, such as sailors, but below chief petty officers and commissioned officers.

“Joshi stayed with his wife and 20-year-old son, Divyesh. He voluntarily retired in 2005 from the Navy. Divyesh studied at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Matunga and had a presentation at the institute on Friday. Vijay went to drop it and while he was returning on his bike from Thane to Matunga, the accident took place,” the officer said.

Vijay’s family members have been contacted by the police.