Five members of a family, including two children, were killed after their speeding car crashed into a stationary container truck on the Amravati-Nagpur highway in Maharashtra's Amravati district late Tuesday night, police said.
Accident Details
The incident occurred near the village of Sawarkhed around 11:30 pm when the family was returning from a wedding function. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which then slammed into the rear of a parked container truck. The impact was so severe that the car was completely mangled, and all five occupants died on the spot.
The deceased were identified as Rajendra Pundlikrao Deshmukh (45), his wife Sonali (38), their son Om (12), daughter Anushka (8), and Rajendra's brother-in-law Sunil Pundlikrao Deshmukh (35). All were residents of Amravati city.
Police Investigation
Police officials stated that the container truck was parked on the side of the highway without any warning lights or reflectors, which may have contributed to the crash. The truck driver has been detained for questioning. A case of rash driving and causing death by negligence has been registered against the unknown driver of the car, as the driver could not be identified among the deceased.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rameshwar Shinde, "The car was speeding and the driver failed to notice the parked truck. The truck had no reflective tape or hazard lights. We are investigating whether the truck driver violated any parking norms."
Impact and Aftermath
The accident has left the local community in shock. The family was well-known in the area, and Rajendra Deshmukh worked as a government teacher. The bodies were sent for post-mortem at the Amravati Civil Hospital. Local residents gathered at the hospital, expressing grief over the tragic loss of five lives in a single accident.
Road accidents are a significant concern in Maharashtra. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Maharashtra reported over 35,000 road accident deaths in 2021, the highest among all Indian states. This incident highlights the dangers of speeding and improper parking of heavy vehicles on highways.
Safety Measures Urged
Traffic experts have called for stricter enforcement of parking regulations for heavy vehicles on highways. The use of reflective markers and mandatory parking away from main carriageways could prevent such tragedies. The Amravati police have launched a drive to check improperly parked vehicles on the highway to avert future accidents.
