A speeding SUV driven by an inebriated man ran over a group of homeless persons, killing one and injuring 12 others, late on Sunday night.
The incident took place near the Nigambodh Ghat. The accused has been arrested.
According to the police, the driver of the vehicle lost control while negotiating a sharp turn and it climbed up a road divider where at least 17 homeless people were sleeping. After brushing past the first few, the vehicle crushed 13 others causing major injuries to all.
It finally came to a halt after breaking a portion of the pavement.
Raj Kumar Solanki, an eyewitness who was sleeping on the other side of the road, said even when the vehicle stopped four persons remained trapped between the two axles of the vehicle.
The accused driver Rishi Kumar (30) was accompanied by his sister-in-law. Raj Kumar said while the woman alighted from the vehicle and started making calls, Rishi who looked visibly drunk tried to flee.
“We did not let him go till the police arrived and handed him over to them,” said Sanjay, another eye witness who also sustained minor injuries in the accident.
The victims were taken to three different hospitals - Sushruta Trauma Centre, Bara Hindu Rao and Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital. It was at the Trauma Centre that 21-year-old Iqraj succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning.
“The accused, a resident of east Delhi’s West Vinod Nagar, was headed home from Jahangirpuri area. He has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and rash and negligent driving,” said a senior police officer.
Delhi’s confusing figures on homeless Investigations also revealed that Rishi had consumed alcohol hours before the accident.
