The bus, proceeding to Subrahmanya from Dharmasthala, hit a car from behind and the car, in turn, hit a tourist jeep causing damage to the two vehicles, police said.
People who gathered at the accident spot assaulted the bus driver Puttaraju from Hassan, alleging that the bus was overspeeding, they said.
Puttaraju was admitted to a hospital here with severe injuries.
Angry over the attack on their colleague, KSRTC drivers and conductors went on a strike and prevented all bus operations from Dharmasthala depot. They condemn the attack and demanded immediate action against the culprits.