A tragic accident occurred in Ludhiana early Sunday morning when a speeding car driven by an off-duty Indian Army soldier struck an e-rickshaw, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old boy and injuries to two other individuals. The incident took place near the Jalandhar Bypass in the Salem Tabri area at approximately 6 am.
Details of the Incident
According to police officials, the soldier apparently fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into the three-wheeler from behind. The force of the impact was severe, causing the e-rickshaw to be dragged for about 200 meters before being forced onto a footpath and crashing into a roadside railing.
The deceased has been identified as Navi Kumar, a resident of Saroop Nagar, Jassian. He was returning home from a pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine along with two friends. The trio had boarded the e-rickshaw at the Ludhiana railway station shortly before the accident.
Injuries and Response
The e-rickshaw driver, Himanshu Kumar, sustained injuries in the crash along with one of the teenager's friends. Both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of the car, an Army soldier from Uttar Pradesh who is posted in Jammu, escaped unhurt as the vehicle's airbags deployed during the collision.
Police reported that the soldier was returning to active duty from a period of leave when the accident occurred. He has been taken into custody by the Salem Tabri police, and formal criminal charges are pending the recording of statements from the victim's family.
Legal Proceedings
Authorities are investigating the incident and have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken against the soldier. The case highlights the dangers of drowsy driving and the need for strict enforcement of traffic regulations.
