Police in Ludhiana have launched a manhunt for the drivers of two vehicles involved in separate high-speed accidents during the dense fog of early Sunday morning. The incidents, which occurred hours apart, resulted in significant damage to public property, including the destruction of a historical city marker.
Audi Wreckage and a Historic Stone Destroyed
The first and more dramatic crash took place on Sat Paul Mittal Road, commonly known as Malhar Road. A speeding Audi sedan with a Chandigarh registration plate lost control while travelling from Hero Bakery Chowk towards Ferozepur Road. The vehicle violently struck a foundation stone that was laid back in 1992 by former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.
The impact of the collision was so severe that it deployed both of the car's airbags and snapped a nearby tree. The force of the crash sent the luxury car hurtling across the road divider. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a male driver, who sustained only minor injuries, climb out of the wrecked Audi and flee the scene before the police could arrive.
Inspector Madhu Bala, the station house officer (SHO) at Division Number 5 police station, confirmed that while no formal complaint from a victim has been registered, the police are actively investigating the case for destruction of public property. "The occupant escaped the scene," stated Inspector Bala. "On Monday, we will obtain the vehicle owner's details from the transport department to proceed with legal action."
Second Crash on Lohara Road Causes Power Cut
In a similarly alarming incident early on the same Sunday, a Tata Indica met with a serious accident on Lohara Road. The vehicle, also moving at high speed, crashed into an electricity pole with tremendous force. The pole snapped, leading to localised power outages in the area as a direct consequence of the crash.
Mirroring the Malhar Road incident, the driver of the Indica abandoned the damaged vehicle at the spot and disappeared from the area. Alert residents informed the police, who are now in the process of tracing the car's registration number to identify and locate the fleeing driver.
Police Investigations Underway
The Ludhiana police are treating both cases with seriousness, given the damage caused and the drivers' evasion of responsibility. The investigation into the Audi crash focuses on the destruction of the historical foundation stone, a piece of the city's civic history. Authorities are leveraging official channels to get the owner's details and initiate proceedings.
For the Lohara Road accident, the focus is on identifying the driver through the abandoned vehicle's registration. These back-to-back incidents highlight the dangers of speeding during foggy conditions in the city and have prompted a renewed call for caution on Ludhiana's roads.
