Car runs over 5 persons sleeping on footpath

A drunk driver of an Audi car allegedly ran over five persons, including two couples and an eight-year-old girl, injuring them while they were sleeping on a footpath near Shiva Camp in southwest Delhi’s Vasant Vihar area.

The incident took place around 1:45 am on July 9. The accused, identified as Utsav Shekhar (40), had been apprehended, the police said. Medical reports confirmed that Shekhar was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

By the time the police reached the spot, the injured persons were already shifted to nearby hospitals.

The victims have been identified as Ladhi (40), her eight-year-old daughter Bimla, her husband Sabami, alias Chirma (45), Ram Chander (45) and his wife Narayani (35). All victims are residents of Rajasthan.

A preliminary investigation and eyewitness account revealed that a white Audi car lost control and drove over the victims while they were asleep on the footpath in front of Shiva Camp.

Recalling the horror, Kusum, a local resident and an eyewitness, said: “The car suddenly came crashing in from the slope. Around 15 of us were sleeping there, including children. It all happened so fast. The vehicle came down directly from that slope and ran into us.”

The police said legal action had been initiated against Shekhar and further investigation was underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events and determine any additional negligence.