Youth, girl killed as car crashes into truck

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, August 27

An uphill trip for Nikhil Sharma, a 20-year-old youth from Gidderbaha, and his 21-year-old friend Komal Preet proved fatal when the Verna car they were travelling in crashed into a stationary truck near the Old Panchkula light point on the NH-22 at around 2.30 am this morning.

Both occupants of the car were rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 6, where doctors declared them brought dead. The front portion of the vehicle was badly crushed.

The police suspect that the car was being driven at a high speed. The speedometer was completely damaged.

Nikhil, a supporter of the youth wing of the SAD, was driving the car. He was in the city for the past two days in connection with the Panjab University Campus Student Council elections. After the victory of the SOI alliance in the PU elections, he took part in the celebrations in the city and then headed towards Kalka along with the girl at around 9 pm. They were returning to the city when the mishap took place, said the SHO of the Chandimandir police station, Suraj Chawla.

While Nikhil was managing his father’s cable business in Gidderbaha, the girl was pursuing the IELTS course and was putting up in a PG accommodation in Sector 10, Chandigarh, said the police.

“My son was in the city for the past two days to support the SOI alliance candidates, said his father Avinash Sharma.

Arjun (28), a guard working at a treatment plant in Old Panchkula, informed the police about the mishap. “The car was crushed. The duo was taken out with great difficulty from the rear side,” said a police official.

According to Nikhil’s friends, he told them that he was going for an outing, but did not disclose the place. He picked up Komal from her PG accommodation,” said another police official.

The truck driver has been booked under Sections 304 (culpable homicide), 304-A (death due to negligence) and 283 (danger or obstruction in public way) at the Chandimandir police station.

Killer stretch

The NH-22 and 73 have been termed killer stretch where several lives have been lost. In the past 10 months, 33 lives have been lost on this stretch in over 70 accidents. 

What all was found in the car

A pack of chips was found in the car along with election posters.

The mobile phone of Nikhil’s brother was found in his car and was used to inform the families. Nikhil’s phone was locked and was password protected.

Nikhil had got driver’s licence in April

In April this year, Nikhil had got the driver’s licence and was keen on driving his father’s Verna car. A fortnight ago, he drove to Chandigarh to celebrate his birthday with his friends on August 13.

Victim played active role in PU elections

Nikhil had actively taken part in supporting candidates of the SOI alliance in the PU elections. He had a big role in mobilising voters. His friends from Panjab University thronged the mortuary of the hospital after hearing of his death.

Eyewitness account

"At around 2.30 am, I heard a thud. When I rushed to the spot, I found that a car (PB 33B 0078) had crashed into a truck (HR 74A 6363). A boy and a girl were stuck in the front seat of the car, but they died after a few minutes. Had the truck driver not parked his vehicle on the road negligently, the duo would not have met with the accident."

— Arjun, guard