A tragic hit-and-run incident in the heart of Jaipur claimed the life of a young man and left a woman seriously injured on Tuesday night. The accident, involving a recklessly driven SUV, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about road safety in the city, coming just a month after a major fatal crash in Harmada.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The victim, identified as Paras Vyas, a 23-year-old resident of Natraj Nagar on Tonk Road, was killed on the spot. His aunt, Nandini, sustained severe leg injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at SMS Hospital. The two were travelling on a two-wheeler towards Vidhan Sabha when the catastrophe struck.
According to police, the fatal crash occurred around 10:15 pm near the Vidhan Sabha area, barely 700 metres from the Jyoti Nagar police station. CCTV footage from the scene played a crucial role in piecing together the events.
CCTV Evidence and Police Investigation
The camera footage revealed a red SUV veering dangerously through traffic. The vehicle first struck two motorcycles before ramming into an electric scooter from behind with great force, throwing its riders onto the road.
Traffic (South) ACP Amir Hassan provided details on the investigation, stating, "We know there were two people in the SUV at the time of the accident, a man and a woman. Initial reports suggest it was the woman who was driving the vehicle. It has not been confirmed yet." Police suspect the daughter of the vehicle owner, a resident of Jagatpura, to have been behind the wheel.
In a concerning development, no arrests had been made nearly 24 hours after the incident, despite the availability of CCTV evidence and identified suspects.
A Grim Reminder of Road Safety Challenges
This heartbreaking incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent road safety challenges in Rajasthan. It occurred barely a month after a drunk driver operating a dumper truck mowed down 15 people to death in Harmada.
In response to that earlier tragedy, the state government had launched a widespread road safety campaign and reported significant achievements, including:
- Making 543,000 people aware of traffic rules.
- Issuing fines to 55,000 drivers for speeding.
- Handing out challans to over 21,000 drivers for various violations.
- Seizing 1,124 vehicles.
However, this latest fatal accident in the state capital underscores the gap between enforcement campaigns and on-ground reality, highlighting the urgent need for sustained and effective measures to curb reckless driving and ensure accountability.
