A 26-year-old nurse was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Hyderabad after a minor driving a rented sports utility vehicle (SUV) ran her over, according to police officials. The accident occurred late Tuesday night in the Madhapur area, a bustling IT corridor in the city. The accused, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested and the vehicle was seized, police said on Wednesday.
Incident Details
The victim, identified as Sravani, was a nurse at a private hospital in Hyderabad. She was crossing the road near a bus stop in Madhapur when the SUV, a Toyota Fortuner, hit her at high speed. The impact threw her several feet, and she died on the spot, police said. The driver fled the scene but was later tracked down by the police using CCTV footage and vehicle registration details.
The SUV was rented from a local car rental service. The minor had taken the vehicle without the knowledge of his parents, police added. The boy, a resident of a nearby locality, was allegedly driving without a valid license. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act, including for causing death by negligence and rash driving.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Police said that the minor was apprehended within hours of the incident. The vehicle was found abandoned in a parking lot in the same area. The boy confessed to the crime during questioning, stating that he had taken the SUV for a joyride with friends. He admitted to losing control of the vehicle while speeding, leading to the accident.
“The accused is a juvenile and will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. We have registered a case under sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 279 (rash driving) of the IPC, along with sections of the Motor Vehicles Act for driving without a license and causing an accident,” said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.
Family and Community Reaction
The victim's family has demanded strict action against the minor and the rental car agency. Sravani’s father, a daily wage laborer, said that his daughter was the sole breadwinner for the family. “She was working hard to support us. Her dream was to become a senior nurse. This accident has shattered our family,” he said.
Local residents and activists have also raised concerns about the ease with which minors can access rental vehicles. They have called for stricter enforcement of rental car regulations and better road safety measures in the area.
Road Safety Concerns in Hyderabad
This incident has once again highlighted the issue of road safety in Hyderabad, which has seen a rise in accidents involving speeding vehicles. According to the Telangana Road Transport Authority, over 1,500 road accidents were reported in Hyderabad in 2025, resulting in more than 500 deaths. A significant number of these accidents involve young drivers and rented vehicles.
Police have urged rental car agencies to verify the identity and age of customers before handing over vehicles. They have also advised parents to monitor their children’s activities to prevent such tragedies.
