A predawn traffic accident on Bali’s main highway connecting Denpasar and Gilimanuk left a motorcyclist seriously injured after a passenger bus allegedly driven by a drowsy driver struck and dragged the motorcycle off the road, police said.
The crash occurred at around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday along the Denpasar–Gilimanuk highway near Munduk Ranti Hamlet in Tuwed Village, Melaya District, Jembrana Regency. The route is one of Bali’s busiest transport corridors, linking the island’s capital with Gilimanuk Port, the main gateway for travelers and freight moving between Bali and Java.
According to Melaya Police Chief I Putu Suarnadi, the Sakhindra Trans bus was traveling east toward Denpasar when the driver allegedly became drowsy while approaching a bend. At the same moment, a white Honda Vario motorcycle ridden by 35-year-old I Ketut Sukedana entered the intersection from a nearby road and attempted to cross the highway.
Investigators believe the bus struck the motorcycle before veering off the roadway. The impact was powerful enough to drag the motorcycle onto the left shoulder and into a nearby residential yard, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.
The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Negara General Hospital for emergency treatment. Police confirmed that no fatalities were reported.
Authorities said the motorcycle was heavily damaged, while the bus sustained damage to its front and rear bumpers. Material losses from the crash were estimated at around Rp10 million (approximately US$600).
The incident highlights the risks associated with fatigue behind the wheel, particularly on Bali’s long-distance highways where buses, trucks, private vehicles, and motorcycles share narrow stretches of road around the clock. Driver fatigue has long been recognized as a significant contributor to serious road accidents, especially during the early morning hours when alertness naturally declines.
Police are continuing their investigation into the crash and have urged motorists to ensure they are physically fit and well-rested before setting out on long journeys.
“Fortunately, there were no fatalities in this incident, but we remind all road users to drive carefully and make sure they are in good condition before traveling,” Suarnadi said.