Surat Doctor Arrested After Car Crash Injures Five People Near Umra Bridge
In a late-night incident in Surat, Pal police have arrested a 39-year-old doctor after his car collided with a tempo near the Umra bridge on Thursday, resulting in injuries to five individuals. The accused, identified as Dr Viralkant Chaudhary, a plastic and vascular surgeon, has claimed that work-related fatigue and lack of sleep may have caused him to doze off while driving.
Details of the Accident and Police Investigation
According to police reports, Dr Chaudhary had visited Sudeep Hospital earlier in the evening to assist in a surgical procedure. While returning from the hospital, as he approached the traffic signal at the Pal end of the Umra bridge, he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. His vehicle then rammed into a tempo that was carrying two women and a driver, all of whom sustained injuries in the impact.
The collision triggered a chain reaction, causing the tempo to collide with other vehicles parked ahead, which resulted in injuries to two additional persons. Assistant Commissioner of Police Sweta Daniels provided details, stating that the injured have been identified as Himmat Boricha (45), Bhavika Chudasama (32), Parul Rathod (35), Manisha Rathod (40), and Prakash Singh (35). Fortunately, none of the victims suffered serious injuries, and they are expected to recover.
Medical and Legal Implications
Despite Dr Chaudhary's assertion that he was fatigued due to work pressure, police have taken a cautious approach by collecting his blood samples for laboratory analysis. This step is aimed at determining whether alcohol consumption played a role in the accident. The impact of the crash was significant, deploying both airbags in Dr Chaudhary's car and causing minor injuries to his hand.
A case has been officially registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act, highlighting the legal consequences of such incidents. This case underscores the importance of road safety and the potential dangers of driving while fatigued or under the influence.
Broader Context and Safety Concerns
This incident brings to light critical issues surrounding driver fatigue, especially among professionals like doctors who often work long hours under high pressure. It serves as a reminder of the need for adequate rest and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent such accidents. The police investigation continues as they await the results of the blood tests to ascertain the full circumstances of the crash.
