Three people lost their lives when a speeding truck rammed into their car on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway on Sunday afternoon. The police has booked the driver of the trailer, who himself is injured and currently in hospital.
According to the New Panvel police, the incident occurred at around 2 pm near the Shedung toll naka on the National Highway 4. A Maruti Alto carrying four men had stopped to pay the toll, when the trailer came hurtling at high speed. It rammed into the rear of the Alto, sending it shooting forward. While the Alto ultimately came to rest against the divider a few meters ahead, the trailer turned turtle due to the impact of the collision.
Passing motorists rushed all four occupants of the Alto to MGM Hospital in Vashi and the trailer driver to the Panvel Municipal Hospital.
“Three of the four occupants of the Alto were declared dead before admission. They have been identified as Divakar Salvi (48), Sunil Mhatre (43) and Bhalchandra Mhatre (46). The fourth victim, identified as Vijendra Jumledar (47), escaped with injuries to his chin and chest. Both vehicles were travelling towards Khopoli when the accident occurred,” said Mr Milind Pingle, police sub-inspector, New Panvel police station.
The driver of the trailer has been identified as Sher Ali Rehman Ali (35), a Kurla resident. He has sustained a fracture to his left leg as well as some other injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
“Sher Ali claims that the brakes to his trailer failed, causing the accident. We have registered a complaint against him under Sections 304 (A), 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Sections 184 and 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act,” Mr Pingle added.