1 dead, 7 injured in crash

A 32-year-old man was killed and seven others were injured after a speeding SUV hit an autorickshaw at Lado Sarai crossing early on Wednesday, the police said.

The deceased and five of the injured persons were in the autorickshaw. Two others, including the SUV owner, were in the car, said the police. They added that at least three more car passengers fled the spot after the accident.

Case registered

The police said it was unclear whether the car was being driven by one of the injured men or the absconders. A case of rash and negligent driving causing death and hurt was registered at Saket police station. The police have impounded both vehicles.

The deceased has been identified as Chandan Jha, who is survived by his wife and two-year-old son. Jha lived in a rented accommodation in central Delhi’s Baljeet Nagar and worked with a catering company, the police said.

A police officer said Jha and four of his co-workers were returning home in the autorickshaw from Chhatarpur. The autorickshaw was crossing the Lado Sarai signal when a speeding car going towards Mehrauli from the Saket metro station side jumped the signal and rammed the three-wheeler.

“The impact sent the autorickshaw over the footpath and damaged the wall of a structure nearby. All men in the autorickshaw were injured. Two car passengers, SUV owner Dhruv and his friend Abhay, were also injured,” said the officer.

The injured men were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre, where Jha was declared brought dead. The injured persons have been identified as auto driver Guddu, Satyapal, Roop Ram, Neeraj and Avnendra. Save for Neeraj and Avnendra, the others were discharged after first aid. The police said the injured car passengers work with a private company in Gurugram.