Elderly Woman Fatally Struck in Pune Hit-and-Run Incident
A 73-year-old woman was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident while on her morning walk along Pune's Pashan Road in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and prompted a thorough police investigation.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The victim has been identified as Asha Vijaykumar Patil, a resident of Abhimanshree Society located on Pashan Road. According to police officials from the Chaturshrungi police station, the accident occurred some distance away from the main gate of the National Chemical Laboratory, specifically in front of the Asara Temple.
"Our initial probe suggests that Patil was on her morning walk and was crossing the road at the time," stated Assistant Inspector Amol Dhas. "She was hit by a vehicle, the driver of which fled the scene immediately without stopping to help her."
Police Investigation Underway
The police have launched a comprehensive probe to identify both the vehicle and its driver. Initial reports from eyewitnesses suggest the vehicle involved was a Tempo pickup van, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.
"There are no CCTV cameras around the exact location of the accident," explained Assistant Inspector Dhas. "Some of the people in the area have told us that the vehicle that hit Patil was a Tempo. We are looking at CCTV footage from nearby locations and are in the process of identifying the Tempo."
The police officer emphasized that the pickup van's involvement will only be confirmed once the vehicle is identified and detained along with its driver.
Immediate Response and Legal Action
Local residents who were also on their morning walks witnessed the incident and promptly called emergency services for an ambulance. Despite their quick response, Patil had sustained multiple serious injuries from the impact and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
A First Information Report has been registered based on a complaint filed by the woman's son, Atul. The police have invoked Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 106 (2), which pertains to "causing death of any person by rash and negligent driving of a vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escaping without reporting", along with section 281 concerning rash driving on a public way. Relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act have also been applied in this case.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
This tragic incident has raised significant concerns about pedestrian safety on Pune's roads, particularly for elderly residents who engage in morning walks. The absence of CCTV cameras at the accident site has complicated the investigation, highlighting potential infrastructure gaps in surveillance coverage.
The police investigation continues as authorities work to:
- Identify the exact vehicle involved in the accident
- Locate and apprehend the driver who fled the scene
- Gather additional eyewitness accounts and evidence
- Review available CCTV footage from surrounding areas
This hit-and-run case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety and driver responsibility, particularly in residential areas frequented by pedestrians during early morning hours.
