A fatal traffic incident caused panic across the capital city of Odisha on Tuesday late evening when a high-speed Scorpio SUV ploughed through several vehicles on the road. The consecutive crashes claimed the life of one person and left four others severely injured. Emergency responders and bystanders rushed the injured individuals to a nearby medical facility, where they are currently undergoing treatment under intensive medical care.
Trail of Collisions Starting at Nuagaon Chowk
According to the sequence of events, a black Scorpio bearing registration number OD07BG1777 was moving at dangerous speeds when it initially hit a two-wheeler near Nuagaon Chowk. Instead of bringing the vehicle to an immediate halt or checking on the victim, the driver accelerated further and continued driving recklessly through the bustling roadway.
Observing the hazard, several local commuters attempted to pursue the SUV to make the motorist stop. Despite these efforts, the vehicle did not slow down, subsequently striking multiple other vehicles in its path. The destructive run finally ended near the main entrance gate of SUM Hospital, where the SUV violently crashed into the road divider. The impact with the concrete barrier brought the damaged vehicle to a complete standstill.
Public Outrage and Apprehension of the Driver
The consecutive impacts sparked anger among bystanders and pedestrians in the immediate vicinity. Following the vehicle's halt at the hospital entrance, an agitated crowd quickly encircled the SUV and apprehended the driver. Reports from witnesses indicated that another individual was seated inside the vehicle alongside the driver, with allegations that both occupants appeared heavily intoxicated.
Members of the gathered public assaulted the driver before handing him over to the responding law enforcement personnel. Taking advantage of the ensuing disorder and the crowd's focus on the driver, the second occupant managed to escape from the scene on foot. Police teams promptly arrived to secure the location and restore order to the disrupted traffic corridor.
Police Intervention and Official Response
Following the distress call, senior officers from the Bharatpur police station, accompanied by Bhubaneswar DCP Saravana Vivek M, reached the location to assess the situation and initiate investigative procedures. The police rescued the apprehended driver from the angry crowd and shifted him to the hospital for necessary medical care and medical examination.
Addressing the incident, Bhubaneswar DCP Saravana Vivek M confirmed that teams were dispatched immediately upon receiving reports of the crash. He noted that the SUV had struck several motorcycles, leaving four people hurt, with two sustaining critical injuries and two others suffering minor wounds. The DCP stated, "The injured and eyewitnesses are being questioned." He further explained that technical investigations are underway to establish the exact chain of events, determine whether the driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and track down the second occupant who fled the location.
