The fatal road accident took place at the Jagamarla Cross, on the Chittoor Palamaneru National Highway.A herd of four elephants, which consisted of four elephants, one female adult, two male sub-adults and a female calf, were crossing the highway.

“A lorry hit the elephant herd crossing the highway. The vehicle was being driven at a high speed and the driver is suspected to have been in an inebriated state and escaped from the spot,” Chittoor divisional forest officer (DFO) Chaitanya Kumar Reddy told PTI.Out of the four elephants,

But only the female adult elephant could escape the accident and leaving the other three dead.

The herd consisted of four elephants, one female adult, two male sub-adults and a female calf. Except the adult, which managed to escape, the other three elephants died in the accident.DFO Reddy said forest officials reached the spot, after getting the information about the accident.

They moved carcasses away from the highway.The truck, which rammed into the elephants, was taken in the custody. The search is on to nab the driver of the truck who ran away from the spot. Forest officials are further investigating the matter.