A late-night joyride turned tragic in Pune when a speeding car lost control and crashed into a concrete pillar of the Nal Stop Metro Station, claiming one young life and leaving three others seriously injured.
The incident occurred around 1:30 AM on Sunday near the bustling Nal Stop intersection, a area typically crowded with vehicles and pedestrians during daytime hours. According to police reports, the vehicle was traveling at dangerously high speed when the driver failed to navigate the turn, leading to the catastrophic collision.
Victims Identified, Community Mourns
The fatal crash claimed the life of 24-year-old Vedant Shitole, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The injured include Shubham Kharade (25), Prathamesh Shinde (24), and Omkar Kshirsagar (23), all residents of Pune. The four friends were returning from an outing when the tragedy struck.
"The impact was so severe that the car was completely mangled," said Senior Police Inspector Sunil Thopte from Deccan Gymkhana police station. "It took rescue teams considerable effort to extract the victims from the wreckage."
Emergency Response and Investigation
Local authorities responded promptly to emergency calls, dispatching multiple police vehicles and ambulances to the accident site. The injured were rushed to nearby Sassoon General Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
Police have registered a case of rash driving and causing death by negligence against the driver. The investigation is focusing on multiple factors including:
- Excessive speed as primary cause of accident
- Possible influence of alcohol
- Road conditions and visibility factors
- Vehicle mechanical condition
Growing Concerns Over Road Safety
This tragic incident has reignited concerns about road safety in Pune, particularly regarding speeding vehicles during late hours. The Nal Stop intersection, being a key transit point for the metro system, sees significant pedestrian traffic throughout the day.
Local residents have expressed alarm over increasing instances of reckless driving in the area. "We've seen several close calls here, especially at night when young drivers treat the roads like race tracks," said a nearby shop owner who witnessed the aftermath.
Police officials have assured increased vigilance and promised stricter enforcement of traffic regulations in the vicinity of metro stations and other high-pedestrian areas.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of irresponsible driving and the importance of adhering to speed limits, especially in urban areas with heavy infrastructure like metro stations.
