A tragic high-speed collision in the early hours of Sunday has claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl and a pet dog, leaving five other teenagers injured in Ludhiana. The accident, involving a Maruti Suzuki Baleno driven by an unlicensed teenager and a Toyota Innova, occurred on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road near the Verka Milk Plant crossing around 2:30 AM.
Chronology of a Nightmare
The group of teenagers, comprising three girls and two boys all aged around 16, was returning from a birthday celebration at a restaurant on Mall Road. The driver of the Baleno, identified as the son of a local political worker, was reportedly speeding when he lost control of the vehicle. The crash happened as the Baleno slammed into a Toyota Innova that was attempting a U-turn.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (West) Jatinderpal Singh stated, "The Baleno car was speeding, and a 16-year-old was at the wheel. Due to the excessive speed, the juvenile driver could not control the vehicle when the Innova was making its turn." The impact was so severe that the Baleno continued for several meters, clipped a scooterist—who narrowly escaped—and finally came to a halt with both cars sustaining catastrophic damage.
Aftermath and Investigation
Despite the deployment of two airbags in the Baleno, the force of the collision proved fatal for the teenage girl in the passenger seat. The family dog travelling with them also died. The driver of the Innova, Sukhwinder Singh, escaped unhurt. The injured teenagers were initially moved to a nearby medical facility by onlookers, with several later transferred to a private hospital for specialized trauma care. The 16-year-old driver remains in a critical condition.
Police have launched a detailed investigation, reviewing footage from "Safe City" surveillance cameras installed near the intersection to reconstruct the final moments. "Statements from the deceased girl's family are being recorded," said ACP Jatinderpal Singh. "At this stage, police are registering a case against unknown accused under sections relating to death by negligence."
A Grim Pattern on Punjab Roads
This tragedy serves as another grim reminder of the rising toll of speeding-related fatalities in the region. It echoes a horrific incident from just weeks ago, on December 7, when five young people were killed instantly after their speeding sedan struck a railing on the Ladhowal Bypass flyover. That crash was so violent it threw two victims off the elevated roadway.
The recurring theme of young, often unlicensed drivers, high speeds, and nighttime hours points to a critical need for:
- Stricter enforcement of traffic laws regarding underage driving.
- Enhanced parental responsibility and awareness.
- Community-driven road safety campaigns targeting youth.
As Ludhiana mourns another preventable loss, the incident forces a urgent public conversation about juvenile driving, accountability, and road safety measures that can prevent such heartbreak.
