Two Killed in Ahmedabad by Drunk Driver

Ahmedabad : Ahmedabad witnessed a tragic accident late Sunday night on the Naroda-Dehgam road when two young men, Amit Rathod, 26, and Vishal Rathod, 27, lost their lives on the spot after being struck by a speeding car. The vehicle, driven by Gopal Patel, jumped the road divider and collided head-on with their Activa scooter. Patel, who was inebriated, lost control of his car, causing the fatal accident.

Police sources revealed that Gopal Patel was driving his Creta car recklessly after consuming alcohol. Witnesses stated that the car, moving at high speed, jumped the divider and flew into the opposite lane, hitting the two victims. Both youths died instantly due to the severity of the impact.

Local residents rushed to the scene and pulled Patel out of the car. He was reportedly so intoxicated that he could barely walk. The enraged crowd thrashed Patel before handing him over to the Kanbha police. Ahmedabad Rural DSP Om Prakash Jat confirmed that Patel was heavily drunk and started his journey from Jhak village. In his bid to overtake a rickshaw, he lost control, causing the horrific accident.

Rising Concerns Over Drunk Driving in Ahmedabad

This incident is part of a worrying trend in Ahmedabad, where reckless and drunk driving accidents are becoming alarmingly frequent. Just a week prior, another drunk driver, Ripal Panchal, caused chaos on the Bopal-Ambli road, damaging seven to eight vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in that case.

Eight days ago, another high-speed accident on SG Highway left two doctors seriously injured after being struck by a car during their morning bicycle ride. These incidents highlight the growing menace of drunk driving in the city.

Police Action and Road Safety Challenges

Despite repeated claims by Ahmedabad’s traffic police to enforce stricter regulations, such incidents continue to occur, raising questions about road safety measures. Patel has been arrested, and a case of culpable homicide has been registered against him. However, the increasing number of drunk-driving cases suggests that enforcement needs to be strengthened further.

Traffic safety advocates are calling for stricter penalties and routine checks, especially during late-night hours. “Drunk driving is not just a crime; it’s a public health crisis,” said one resident near the accident site.