Five Family Members Killed in Gwalior as Speeding SUV Rams Auto-Rickshaw
A devastating accident in Gwalior resulted in the deaths of five family members and injuries to four others, including two young children, in the early hours of Friday. The tragedy occurred when a speeding SUV, allegedly attempting to evade police, collided with an overloaded auto-rickshaw at approximately 3 am.
Details of the Tragic Collision
According to Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Yadav, the SUV had been involved in a prior incident near the bus stand and was being pursued by a Dial 100 police team. The driver, identified as Aman Sharma, was reportedly overspeeding to escape authorities when he struck the auto-rickshaw from behind. The impact was so severe that the auto was flung off the road and crashed into a neem tree, leaving the vehicle badly mangled.
The victims were returning from a visit to the Sheetla Mata Temple when the crash occurred. Local residents quickly alerted emergency services, and the injured were rushed to the hospital. Four individuals were declared dead on arrival, while one more later succumbed to injuries.
Victims and Survivors Identified
The deceased have been identified as:
- Indrajit alias Pappu Shakya (55)
- His wife Leela (52)
- Shubham alias Lali (30)
- Shubham's wife Shagun
- Preeti Kashyap (60), Shubham's mother-in-law from Meerut
The injured include:
- Preeti (20), Shubham's sister
- Priyansh (5) and Aarav (6), Shubham's sons
- Rajesh Kumar (28), the auto-rickshaw driver
Rajesh Kumar sustained severe head injuries and remains in critical condition at the Trauma Center. The two children and the woman are currently undergoing treatment. Family members revealed that the group, residents of the Ghas Mandi area, had left home around 12:30 am for temple prayers and were on their way back when the tragedy struck.
Police Investigation and Aftermath
The SUV driver, Aman Sharma, has been detained and is undergoing medical examination. Police from Thatipur station have seized the vehicle, which showed significant damage with a shattered windshield and deployed airbags, indicating the force of the impact.
A case has been registered, and authorities are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to verify the sequence of events. This includes investigating the earlier collision and the pursuit by the Dial 100 team. Further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to this heartbreaking incident.
