Kolhapur Teen Remanded to Police Custody After Fatal SUV Crash Claims Two Lives
A 19-year-old accused of causing a fatal accident in Kolhapur city has been remanded to three days of police custody. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left two others injured.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Police have identified the accused as Mayuresh Patil (19), a resident of Lane 8 in Rajarampuri. According to authorities, Patil allegedly drove an SUV into multiple two-wheelers in the Shahu Mill area. This reckless act led to the immediate deaths of a man and his married daughter, while two other individuals sustained injuries.
Local residents, outraged by the incident, intervened by thrashing Patil before handing him over to the police. He was subsequently arrested later that night.
Victims Identified as Retired Official and Pregnant Advocate
The deceased have been named as Deepak Vanshe (66), a resident of the Dilbahar Talim area, and his daughter Bhagyashri Gawali (27), an advocate living in Kasba Bawda. Both victims died on the spot at the scene of the accident.
Relatives revealed that Vanshe was taking Bhagyashri, who was pregnant at the time, for a medical check-up when the tragic collision occurred. Vanshe had retired from the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation's health department approximately a decade ago.
Legal Charges and Police Investigation
Patil has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections 105, 125(A), 125(8), 281, and 324(4), as well as Sections 184 and 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act. He was produced before a Kolhapur court, which granted police custody until February 10.
Inspector Satish Hodgar of the Rajarampuri police station provided insights into the ongoing investigation. "The accused claims that some people were chasing him and, in that haste, he accidentally hit the two-wheelers. The residents, however, claimed he was under the influence of abusive substances. We have submitted his blood samples for analysis, and the results are awaited," Hodgar stated.
Regarding the injured parties, Hodgar added, "The condition of both injured people is stable. We are in touch with the doctors treating them."
Aftermath and Community Response
The victims were cremated on Sunday afternoon, marking a somber end to the tragic event. The incident has sparked significant concern in the local community, highlighting issues related to road safety and reckless driving.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on determining the exact circumstances that led to the crash, including whether substance abuse played a role. The case underscores the severe consequences of rash driving and the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to prevent such devastating outcomes.
