Chandigarh Car Crash Claims Three Lives, Leaves Three Injured Near Sector Turn
A tragic road accident in Chandigarh resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including two women, and left three others injured after a speeding car collided with an e-rickshaw and a cyclist on Sunday evening. The incident occurred near the turn between sectors 5 and 8, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns in the area.
Details of the Fatal Collision and Victims
The deceased have been identified as Sushila, 35, a resident of Kaimbwala, who was riding a bicycle with her husband, Hanuman, who sustained injuries in the crash. The other victims were e-rickshaw riders Raju, 40, and Mamta, 50. Additionally, another woman traveling in the e-rickshaw was declared dead upon arrival at GMSH-16 hospital. All injured parties, including the car driver, were rushed to GMSH-16 for emergency treatment, with one critically injured woman later referred to PGI, where she succumbed during care.
Police Investigation and Suspected Intoxication
Sector 3 police have registered a case based on a complaint filed by a traffic police official and launched a thorough investigation into the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that the accused driver, Rahul, 28, a resident of Kishangarh in the IT Park area, was returning home from Jayanti Majri, Mohali, in his Maruti SX-4 car at the time of the crash. Police indicated that Rahul appeared to be under the influence of some form of intoxication, though this will be confirmed only after a medical examination.
Sequence of Events and Multiple Collisions
The accident unfolded around 4:45 PM when Rahul's car, traveling at high speed, struck an e-rickshaw carrying passengers from behind near the turn going towards Sector 5 before Hira Singh Chowk. After the initial impact, he lost control of the vehicle, subsequently hitting a cyclist and a Maruti Baleno coming from the Hira Singh Chowk side. Both the cyclist and the Baleno occupants were taking a turn from a cut in Sector 5 at that moment.
Police noted that the car's excessive speed was evident from the extensive damage and the chain of collisions. Following these crashes, Rahul continued driving, taking a turn from Sector 5 and colliding with another car heading towards Hira Singh Chowk. In total, six people—including the cyclist, e-rickshaw passengers, and the accused driver—suffered serious injuries, while occupants of the Innova and Baleno involved did not sustain major harm.
Ongoing Response and Community Impact
All injured individuals were shifted to GMSH-16 for medical attention, with the incident raising alarms about road safety measures in Chandigarh. The police are continuing their investigations to determine the exact cause and any potential legal actions against the driver. This accident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies in the future.
