The 48-year-old man who fled after ramming his car into two commercial stalls and 10 evening shoppers was traced and arrested by the Ghatkopar police on Saturday morning.
According to the Ghatkopar police, the incident occurred at around 9 pm on Friday in the busy Bhatwadi market in Ghatkopar. Eyewitnesses later told the police that a Zen Estillo, which was parked by the side of the street started up suddenly and hurtled straight towards some street food stalls that lined the road. Two of the stalls were destroyed and 10 pedestrians also sustained injuries in the process.
Nearby shopkeepers and passersby rushed forward to help. However, the driver of the Estillo managed to abandon his vehicle and flee the scene before he could be stopped. The victims were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. Doctors declared five of them fit to be discharged after administering medical aid, and admitted the remaining five.
Meanwhile, a team of policemen from the Ghatkopar police station rushed to the spot and seized the car. Based on the registration number, the police obtained the identity and the address of the driver.
“The driver, identified as Baban Chikne (48) was picked up from his residence on Saturday morning. He was taken to the police station, questioned, and subsequently placed under arrest. He has been charged with causing injury due to rash and negligent driving,” said an officer with the Ghatkopar police. Chikne said that he had left the car in first gear while parking it, and forgot about it when he started it again. Hence, the car picked up speed instantaneously, resulting in the accident.