Gandhinagar: A tragic accident shook the Randesan area of Gandhinagar on Thursday morning when a speeding Tata Safari SUV, allegedly driven under the influence of alcohol, ploughed into pedestrians and motorists on the service road from Bhaijipura to City Pulse. The crash left two people, including a woman, dead and three others injured.

According to police, the SUV, bearing registration number GJ 18 EE 7887, is registered in the name of Hitesh Vinubhai Patel. “The accused Hitesh Patel was driving at high speed. It appears he was traveling at more than 80 kilometers per hour,” said Gandhinagar superintendent of police (SP) Ravi Teja Vasamsetty.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and horror. One resident said the driver was so drunk he couldn’t even stand. People finally dragged him out and kept him on the side until the police came about 20–25 minutes later. “Unfortunately, no ambulance arrived immediately. Someone had to cover the victim’s body with a scarf,” the eyewitness said.

Another witness reported that the incident occurred around 10:30 am. “The driver seemed intoxicated and crashed into three or four vehicles. We saw at least three or four dead bodies; there could be more casualties. The injured were later shifted for treatment by emergency services,” the witness added.

Arvind Patel, a resident whose CCTV cameras captured the crash, said the vehicle was travelling at a speed exceeding 100 km/h. “It first struck a car, then hit a body on the road, and crashed into another two-wheeler,” he said.

Police said preliminary findings indicate the driver had been speeding on the service road, causing multiple collisions in quick succession. The police arrived shortly after being alerted and have detained the driver. An investigation has been launched, with officers analysing CCTV footage and recording statements from locals.

The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The incident has sparked outrage and fear among residents, who have demanded stricter action against reckless driving and better enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future. DeshGujarat