A horrific road accident late Saturday night near Mahindra Garden in the Housing Board area of Balotra city left one person dead and around half a dozen others seriously injured. A pickup driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, wreaked havoc over a stretch of nearly three kilometers, mowing down pedestrians, rickshaws, and two-wheelers that came in his path.
The shocking incident created panic in the area as the speeding vehicle continued its rampage, crushing several people and damaging multiple vehicles. While the driver initially managed to flee the scene, police later detained him and launched an investigation based on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.
Sequence of Events
According to police, the pickup vehicle was traveling towards Balotra late Saturday night. Witnesses reported that the driver was speeding recklessly when he struck people walking along the roadside. The impact was so severe that several individuals sustained critical injuries.
Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes, stating that the pickup driver was traveling at an extremely high speed. He first hit pedestrians near the Asada Phanta area and continued driving without stopping. Upon reaching the Housing Board area, he allegedly rammed into a rickshaw driver and ran him over. The vehicle's speed was so dangerous that several two-wheelers were thrown aside like debris.
Victims and Injuries
One of the critically injured victims later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The deceased was identified as Ganesh (41), son of Narayanram Prajapat, a resident of Jasol. News of his death plunged his family into mourning.
The injured have been identified as Vishnu (35), son of Loonaram, resident of Housing Board; Jeetu (20), son of Dhanraj Mali, resident of Housing Board; Jitendra (25), son of Bastaram Bhil, resident of Kuship; Loonaram (45), son of Jagtaram Bhil, resident of Kuship; and Rameshnath (25), son of Khimnath, resident of Housing Board. All are currently undergoing treatment at Nahata Government Hospital.
Police Response and Investigation
Upon receiving information about the accident, local police rushed to the scene and, with the assistance of social workers, shifted the injured victims, who were lying on the road in a bloodied condition, to Nahata Hospital.
Police have detained the accused driver and seized the pickup vehicle for further investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the driver may have been heavily intoxicated and lost control of the vehicle. Authorities are now examining CCTV footage from the area and recording statements from eyewitnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Public Reaction
The incident spread rapidly across the city, drawing large crowds of relatives, local residents, and concerned citizens to Nahata Hospital late into the night. From the accident site to the hospital premises, an atmosphere of chaos and tension prevailed, while public anger mounted against the allegedly drunken and reckless driver. Police personnel remained deployed to maintain law and order and ensure smooth handling of the situation.
