Indore/Maheshwar, Jan 19 (IANS) In yet another hit-and-run incident highlighting road safety concerns in Madhya Pradesh, a rashly driven speeding car struck four pedestrians and a motorbike rider near Yashraj Colony under Dhargaon police station area in Maheshwar tehsil, Khargone, claiming one life and leaving others seriously injured.

Speaking to IANS, Deepak Yadav, investigation officer, said the accident occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday when bike rider A.K. Chand alias Munna Karma (55) was heading to purchase chillies. Suddenly, a car coming from the opposite direction at high speed collided with him and another person, Kailash (52), a resident of Karondiya village.

Another person, Shubham, a resident of Jhapri village, who was riding with his five-year-old daughter on the pillion, was also injured.

A video of the incident went viral on social media. The impact sent the car crashing into a neem tree, bringing it to a halt.

The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, evading immediate capture. All the injured were rushed to Maheshwar Community Hospital in critical condition.

Tragically, Munna Karma succumbed to his injuries there. One other victim was transferred to Dhamnod Government Hospital for further treatment, while the remaining two, including the child, received primary care and were discharged.

Police from Dhargaon station have launched a search for the absconding driver and are investigating the abandoned car for clues, including registration details and possible CCTV footage from nearby areas.

An FIR has been registered under relevant sections for rash driving and causing death by negligence.

Dhargaon, a village in Maheshwar tehsil, about 10 km from Maheshwar town and roughly 54 km north of Khargone district headquarters, falls under the jurisdiction of Maheshwar police circle. The area, part of the Indore division, sees frequent traffic on local roads connecting to nearby towns like Dhamnod and Mandleshwar.

Authorities have urged witnesses or anyone with information on the fleeing driver to come forward to assist the probe.

–IANS

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