A day after toddler’s death, speeding vehicle leaves two seriously injured
Barely a day after a three-year-old child lost his life in a tragic road accident, the city witnessed another horrific crash late Tuesday night, intensifying concerns about reckless driving and lax enforcement of road safety measures in the city.
Two young men returning home from a wedding were critically injured after a speeding SUV rammed into their motorcycle near Jhandiya Wale Peer Chowk in Basti Nau, close to Gopal Nagar. The victims identified as Kulwinder Singh of Himachal Pradesh and Sandeep Kumar of Model Town were thrown nearly 10 metres away due to the impact.
Kulwinder suffered a serious leg fracture while Sandeep was rendered unconscious with a severe head injury. According to their friend Indrajit, who was riding ahead of them, the trio had just left the wedding venue and were en route home when the high-speed Innova, came hurtling toward them. Instead of stopping after the collision, the driver fled the scene, but the car’s number plate fell off and was recovered at the spot.
Local resident and witness Suresh Kumar, who was present at the chowk, said, “It wasn’t the bikers’ fault at all. The Innova came at a terrifying speed and hit them so hard that they flew into the air before landing far away. It was sheer negligence.”
The police reached the scene soon after being alerted and rushed the injured youths to the Civil Hospital via ambulance. Officials confirmed that the car’s number plate has been seized and said the driver would be identified and apprehended soon with the help of the registration details.
The back-to-back accidents, meanwhile, have triggered an outcry among residents, many of whom are demanding stricter action against over-speeding vehicles, particularly at night.
Locals allege that despite repeated complaints, speeding in various parts of the city continue unchecked and that there is little visible police monitoring.
“This has become a daily horror. Yesterday, it was a child. Today, two more lives are on the edge. When will the authorities act?” questioned a local shopkeeper near the accident spot.
The incident has reignited debate over the enforcement of speed limits and the urgent need for road safety reforms in Jalandhar’s densely populated areas.
Besides, immediate installation of speed cameras, better lighting and regular night patrolling to prevent such tragedies must be ensured, they added.
Jalandhar