Sangli hit-and-run: SUV ploughs into crowd during festival rush; 11 injured including 5 cops

Incident Unfolds During Festival Celebrations

Chaos erupted in Maharashtra's Sangli city on Sunday evening when a speeding SUV careened through a densely packed crowd near the Ganapati Temple on Tilak Road. The vehicle, being used for passenger transport, first struck multiple vehicles parked along the road before ploughing directly into pedestrians who were gathered to attend the Krushnamai Festival. The incident occurred during peak festival hours when the area was teeming with devotees and visitors heading toward the river ghat where festivities were in full swing. The sudden and violent collision sent shockwaves through the crowd, with people scattering in panic as the SUV continued its path of destruction through the congested thoroughfare.

Driver Identified and Detained

The driver has been identified as 26-year-old Praniket Dattatrey Panchal, a resident of Barshi Road in the Latur district. According to police investigations, Panchal was operating the SUV under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Medical tests conducted at Sangli Civil Hospital confirmed that he had consumed alcohol before driving. Panchal had initially come to Sangli with tourists from Latur for Ganapati darshan but continued driving after dropping off his passengers and consuming alcohol. The sequence of events leading to the tragedy appeared to stem from the driver's impaired judgment and inability to control the vehicle once it began striking other automobiles.

Casualties and Response

At least 11 people sustained injuries in the devastating hit-and-run incident, comprising four police personnel deployed for bandobast and crowd management, a seven-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy, and several other civilians. The injured individuals suffered fractures and other injuries, but authorities confirmed that all victims are out of danger. Police officials stated that after the initial collision, Panchal became frightened when people began pursuing him and attempted to flee the scene, resulting in additional collisions with pedestrians gathered near the ghat area. An angry mob intercepted the fleeing vehicle, pulled Panchal from the driver's seat, and assaulted him while vandalizing the SUV, breaking windshields and headlights in their fury. The police subsequently rescued Panchal and transported him to Sangli Civil Hospital for treatment of his injuries sustained during the mob attack.

The driver could not control the SUV, and first hit several vehicles. As people started chasing him, he got scared and tried to drive away. In the process, he again hit several people gathered along the road towards the river ghat where the festival is going on.

Extensive Damage and Investigation

The extent of the destruction was considerable, with approximately 20 vehicles sustaining damage from the SUV's collision. The incident raised serious concerns about public safety during crowded festival gatherings and the dangers posed by impaired drivers in densely populated areas. Police have registered a formal case against Panchal and confiscated the vehicle as evidence. Inspector Arun Sugaonkar of the Sangli police station confirmed that the formal arrest process and court production will be completed after Panchal's discharge from the hospital. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining factors that contributed to the incident, including vehicle maintenance and the driver's actions preceding the collision.

The tragic incident in Sangli serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the potential for catastrophic consequences when impaired drivers operate vehicles in crowded public spaces. While fortunately no deaths were reported, the injuries to police personnel and children underscore the indiscriminate nature of such accidents. Authorities are focusing on ensuring that Panchal faces appropriate legal consequences while also examining whether additional safety measures should be implemented at festival venues to prevent similar occurrences in the future.