Tragic Car Crash on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Claims Lives of Family of Three
A devastating car accident on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Nuh early Sunday morning resulted in the deaths of a couple and their five-year-old son, while their eight-year-old son sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, according to police reports.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The accident occurred between 2:00 AM and 2:30 AM, approximately 2 kilometers before the Hilalpur toll plaza under the jurisdiction of the Rojka Meo police station. The family was returning to their home in Gurgaon after attending a wedding in Jaipur on February 19.
Investigators described the sequence of events as follows: the car first veered towards the driver's side and collided with a jersey barrier. It then overturned over the crash barrier, entered the median space, and struck another barrier at nearly a 90-degree angle. The car appears to have traveled nearly 20 to 30 meters inside the median after the initial impact, noted a police officer involved in the probe.
Victims Identified and Family Background
The deceased have been identified as Naveen Soni, aged 40, his wife Madhuri, aged 38, and their younger son Vihansh, aged 5. The family were natives of Nainwa in Rajasthan's Bundi district but resided in Gurgaon, where Naveen was employed with Indian Bank.
The injured child, Krishna, aged 8, is receiving medical care. Some family members of the deceased claimed that Krishna mentioned a stray dog suddenly appearing in front of the vehicle, forcing his father to swerve hard to avoid hitting it. However, police have not confirmed this account as part of the official investigation.
Police Investigation and Possible Causes
A police officer privy to the investigation stated that the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. Prima facie, there could be multiple reasons, he explained. The front tyre on the right side of the car was flat when we found it, but it is not clear whether the tyre burst led to the crash or if it burst due to the impact. Another possibility is that the husband, who was driving the car, may have dozed off.
Police teams reached the accident site around 2:45 AM, by which time an emergency response vehicle and the highway patrol team had already arrived and shifted the victims to a nearby hospital. Doctors declared Madhuri and Vihansh dead on arrival. Naveen and Krishna were referred to a private hospital, where Naveen succumbed to his injuries on Monday. His post-mortem examination was conducted on Tuesday.
Ongoing Legal and Investigative Proceedings
Police have initiated inquest proceedings, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the precise sequence of events leading to the crash. Authorities are meticulously examining all evidence, including vehicle damage, witness statements, and medical reports, to determine liability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
This tragic event has left the community in shock, highlighting the dangers of nighttime driving on high-speed expressways. As the investigation continues, family and friends mourn the loss of three lives, while hoping for the recovery of the young survivor.
