Bhubaneswar: At least four persons were critically injured as a speeding car, allegedly being rashly driven by a drunk driver, hit multiple vehicles at Jagamara Square in Bhubaneswar late on Thursday.
According to sources, the car collided with motorcycles, auto-rickshaws and parked vehicles, resulting in a series of collisions, before coming to a halt. Eyewitnesses described the vehicle swerving uncontrollably through the busy intersection, forcing commuters and pedestrians to flee for safety.
Emergency services and traffic police reached the site within minutes of the accident. The victims were then immediately rushed to Capital Hospital. While two among were later discharged, the other two were shifted to a private hospital for advanced treatment due to the severity of their condition.
Soon thereafter, the damaged vehicles were towed away and the wreckage cleared to restore traffic flow.
Meanwhile, Khandagiri police are examining CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the driver with preliminary investigation confirming drunk driving as the primary cause of the accident. Late-night patrolling has also been intensified in the area.
Residents have expressed anger and frustration over the increasing number of road accidents in the capital city. While a government bus rammed into a stationary auto-rickshaw at Rupali Square traffic junction, crushing it completely and pushing it forward into the school bus ahead on January 3 afternoon, killing the auto driver on the spot, a car driven by youth crashed into a roadside tree at Ghatikia Square in Bhubaneswar on January 8.
