Student killed in truck–motorbike crash on Denpasar–Gilimanuk road

Negara — — A 17-year-old high school student was killed when a box truck collided with his motorbike on the Denpasar–Gilimanuk national road in Banjar Munduk, Pohsanten Village, Mendoyo District, Jembrana, on Friday, 18 September 2026, at around 12:30 p.m. WITA, according to regional broadcaster RRI and local media reports.

The crash involved a Mitsubishi box truck, a Honda Vario ridden by the victim and a Honda Beat ridden by another 16-year-old. Police and media reports state that the second motorcyclist and the truck driver did not suffer serious injuries.

Police account of the crash

RRI identified the deceased student by the initials IK, aged 17, while Tribun Bali named him as Putu Gede Indra Kusuma, a student of SMA Negeri 1 Mendoyo from Yeh Kuning Village, Jembrana. Both reports describe a single fatality in the same incident; police have not publicly clarified the difference between the initialed and full-name references in the material available.

According to RRI and Detik Bali, the truck bore registration number P 8565 VR and was driven by a 44-year-old man from Banyuwangi, identified by the initials NT. Tribun Bali names the driver as Nanang, 44, from Banyuwangi.

The Honda Beat was ridden by a 16-year-old identified by RRI and Detik Bali with the initials AP or RAP, while Tribun Bali reports the rider’s name as Putu Raka Adi.

Mendoyo police chief Kompol I Wayan Sartika confirmed the incident and provided details of the chronology to RRI and Detik Bali. He said the truck was travelling from west (Gilimanuk) to east (Denpasar) and attempted to overtake another vehicle ahead of it without adequately observing traffic in the opposite lane.

Police told RRI and Detik Bali that during the overtaking manoeuvre the truck struck the Honda Vario approaching from the opposite direction, causing the motorbike to veer left and then make contact with the Honda Beat travelling in the same direction as the truck. Both motorbikes and their riders fell onto the road surface.

The student riding the Honda Vario suffered a severe wound to the right temple and was pronounced dead at the scene. RRI reported estimated material losses of around Rp3 million from damage to the three vehicles.

Location and vehicles involved

Police and media reports list the following key details:

• Time: approximately 12:30 p.m. WITA on Friday, 18 September 2026
• Location: Jalan Nasional Denpasar–Gilimanuk, Banjar Munduk, Pohsanten Village, Mendoyo District, Jembrana Regency
• Vehicles: one Mitsubishi box truck (P 8565 VR) and two motorbikes, a Honda Vario DK 2561 ZI and a Honda Beat DK 6648 ZO
• Casualties: one 17-year-old motorcyclist killed at the scene; the 16-year-old motorcyclist and truck driver reported without serious injuries

Traffic conditions and investigation

Tribun Bali reported that traffic at the location was initially normal and flowing before the collision occurred. The available police and media accounts focus on the crash chronology and do not state how long traffic was disrupted or whether any temporary diversion or closure was imposed.

Kompol I Wayan Sartika said officers secured the crash scene and evidence and that the case was processed by traffic investigators at the Jembrana Police. The reports do not state whether formal charges have been filed or give a final determination of legal responsibility; the description of the overtaking manoeuvre remains the police’s preliminary account pending further investigation.

The incident adds to a series of serious crashes reported along the Denpasar–Gilimanuk corridor in Jembrana, a key artery for local traffic and inter-island travel between Bali and Java. Motorists are frequently reminded by police in these reports to exercise caution, particularly when overtaking and when sharing the road with mixed heavy and light vehicles.

Sources

• RRI Denpasar regional report
• Detik Bali news report
• Tribun Bali Jembrana report