Commuters on Rajkot’s busiest thoroughfare, the 150 ft Ring Road, witnessed an action movie-like scene around 1pm on Wednesday, with a speeding Volvo car crashing into other road users, damaging multiple vehicles and causing some to overturn. The incident left people shocked and angered, before the Volvo car crashed through the BRTS railing.
The incident occurred between Nana Mauva Chowk and Balaji Hall. According to police, the car driven by Dhaval Pipaliya hit at least four cars and a two-wheeler before crossing through one side of the BRTS corridor railing and stopping near a complex on the opposite side of the road.
Ashwin Kathrecha (56), a resident of Ambika Township in Rajkot, lodged a complaint at Malaviya Nagar police station against Pipaliya under Sections 281, 125(A), 324(4), and 324(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 184 and 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Kathrecha stated that he and his wife Daksha were on their two-wheeler headed to Nana Mauva Chowk to buy an air-conditioner when the speeding car hit their motorcycle. Both fell onto the road. Ashwin suffered minor injuries, while Daksha sustained serious injuries to her face, chest, and head. They were rushed to a nearby private hospital, where doctors found fractures in Daksha’s facial bones and ribs.
The accident caused outrage among bystanders, who allegedly dragged the driver out of the car and assaulted him. Despite efforts by police and some members of the public to move him into an ambulance, the crowd attacked him again before he was taken away.
Malaviya Nagar police inspector J M Kaila said the full sequence of events was captured on CCTV cameras in the area. Police have gathered footage and are recording the statements of victims and witnesses.
Police said Pipaliya was shifted to a private hospital due to injuries sustained during the assault. He will be detained for questioning.
Locals alleged that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or some other intoxicant at the time of the crash. Police said a medical examination is being conducted to verify the allegation.
