Bengaluru: Teen Driver, Six Minors Perish in High-Speed XUV700 Crash on Foggy STRR
A devastating high-speed crash on Bengaluru's Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) in the early hours of Friday claimed the lives of seven individuals, including six minors and a teenage driver. The incident occurred around 4 am amidst dense fog, with the Mahindra XUV700 reportedly traveling at a staggering 150-160 kilometers per hour, far exceeding the road's 100 kmph speed limit.
Crash Details and Police Investigation
Police officials inferred the excessive speed based on the catastrophic damage to the vehicle and accounts from other motorists present at the time. Despite the presence of CCTV cameras and speed radars along the route, authorities were unable to obtain specific footage of the crash itself. The XUV700, belonging to businessman Azgar Ali from Kothanur, was being driven by his son, Ayan, when it violently rear-ended a truck on the STRR.
Balasubramani, the truck driver, recounted the terrifying moment from his hospital bed: "The road was calm, and I was driving steadily in my lane. Suddenly, I felt a massive impact, and my vehicle was thrown onto its side within seconds. I lost consciousness immediately." Upon regaining consciousness, he was shocked to see the aftermath: "The car hit with such immense force that my truck's axle and entire housing were completely separated. The scene was devastating."
Rescue Efforts and Fatalities
Emergency responders faced a grueling task extracting the bodies of the six minors from the mangled wreckage of the XUV700. One police officer noted, "This is the first such severe crash on the STRR. It is highly probable that the young driver lacked the experience to control a vehicle at such extreme speeds." The authorities had to deploy cranes to remove the damaged vehicles and restore traffic flow on the crucial ring road.
Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Labhu Ram personally visited the accident site to assess the situation and oversee the investigation. Police are still piecing together the journey of the youths, with no clear information on their departure point, destination, or activities prior to the crash.
Road Design Concerns and Legal Action
In the wake of the tragedy, residents from neighboring areas like Kambalipura and M Sathyawara have raised alarms about potential flaws in the road's construction. Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth MV acknowledged these concerns, stating that villagers have highlighted a particular stretch—where the accident occurred—as having several crests and troughs. "We are yet to determine whether the road is scientifically designed," he said, indicating that corrective measures may be implemented if any issues are identified.
Consequently, police have decided to involve officials from the highway, public works, and transport departments to conduct a thorough study of the STRR's design and safety features. Meanwhile, based on a complaint filed by Naresh, whose Maruti Brezza collided with the debris from the multi-vehicle pile-up, a case has been registered against Ayan for causing death by negligence and rash driving under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
This tragic incident underscores critical issues surrounding road safety, adolescent driving, and infrastructure accountability in Bengaluru, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and preventive measures to avert similar disasters in the future.
