Bhubaneswar: A harrowing hit-and-run incident on Sunday has once again spotlighted the growing menace of reckless driving in Odisha capital, as a speeding truck rammed into an auto-rickshaw on the busy Cuttack-Puri bypass road near Pandara Square, dragging the three-wheeler for nearly 50-60 metres before it veered off NH-5 and crashed into a roadside shop.
According to eyewitnesses, the truck, allegedly traveling at high speed along the National Highway, struck the auto-rickshaw from behind. The impact sent the lighter vehicle skidding uncontrollably until it lost balance, plunged off the road, and slammed into a nearby shop. A passenger inside the auto-rickshaw sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg, and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
However, it did not end here. The truck driver struck a motorcycle rider, injuring him as well, while fleeing the scene. Following which, locals and commuters chased the truck, eventually stopping it and detaining the driver. The driver was allegedly assaulted by an irate mob before police arrived and restored order.
Describing the terrifying moment, a woman, whose shop was damaged in the crash, saoid: “My father was sitting on the chair, and I was inside the house. I heard a loud sound and rushed out. My son, panicked by the sound, ran over here out of fear… By the time I looked, the auto-rickshaw had already crashed into our house after being hit by the truck.”
An investigation is underway to determine if over-speeding, negligence, or intoxication contributed to the crash.
This comes within 24 hour of another accident at Nayapalli in the city in which a speeding Thar crashed into a garage, injuring two persons.
