Three persons were injured after a speeding Tata Safari SUV allegedly lost control and crashed into a tree near the Usmanpura branch of HDFC Bank on Ashram Road in Ahmedabad during the early hours of May 18.
According to a complaint filed with the B Division Traffic Police, the accident occurred around 3 am when a group of friends was travelling from the Sidhi Syed area towards Ashram Road in the SUV.
The complainant, Ayankhan Nazirkhan Pathan, 20, a resident of the Karanj area, told police that he, along with his brother Aftaf and friends Tamim, Waqar and Sahil, had gone out for breakfast in the vehicle, which was allegedly being driven by Tamim.
Police said the SUV was being driven at high speed and in a reckless manner while travelling from Usmanpura crossroads towards Vadaj. Near the HDFC Bank branch on Ashram Road, the driver allegedly lost control of the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to jump the divider and crash into a tree.
Ayankhan sustained injuries below his left eye, Aftaf suffered injuries to his hand, while Sahil received head injuries in the crash. Local residents rushed to the spot after hearing the impact and alerted emergency services.
The injured were shifted to SVP Hospital in a 108 ambulance, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, videos recorded after the accident allegedly showed a suspected liquor bottle inside the damaged SUV, raising suspicion that the occupants may have consumed alcohol before the crash. Police officials are examining the footage and are expected to verify whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Police have registered a case against the driver for rash and negligent driving endangering human life. Officials said the B Traffic Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act.
Police also stated that separate prohibition-related proceedings are being initiated at Navrangpura Police Station regarding the alleged possession of alcohol found inside the vehicle.