A tragic accident in Ahmedabad’s Nikol area left a mother and her 15-year-old son dead after a speeding Toyota Fortuner plowed into a family resting on a footpath, according to local authorities. The crash occurred near Devashya School, where victims Poonamben Nagwadiya, 30, and her son Sagar Nagwadiya were selling sofa covers ahead of the Diwali festival. Two other individuals, 34-year-old Kartik Vasoya and his wife Snehalben, sustained serious injuries in the collision and were rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment.
Police identified the driver of the SUV as 36-year-old Viralbhai Savjibhai Chaudhary, also referenced as Viral Chaudhary. The impact of the crash left victims trapped underneath the vehicle, prompting local residents to quickly step in and help lift the heavy SUV to pull them out. Following the impact, Chaudhary abandoned the Fortuner at the scene and attempted to flee, but officers detained him within minutes.
Beer Cans Recovered and Alcohol Tests Confirmed
During an initial search of the vehicle, law enforcement officers recovered six unopened beer cans. Investigators subsequently ordered medical tests to establish the driver’s blood alcohol level at the time of the crash. Ahmedabad City Traffic Deputy Commissioner of Police Naresh Kanjaria stated that the driver was speeding when he ran over the four people on the footpath. The official confirmed that Chaudhary’s medical examination was conducted and his blood sample tested positive for alcohol.
Speeding 'Drunk' Fortuner Driver Runs Over Four on Ahmedabad Footpath; Mother-Son Killedhttps://t.co/wKpdbUkv9y pic.twitter.com/koyWHejtJw
Criminal Charges Filed Under Multiple Legal Provisions
Following the fatal incident, local authorities registered a formal case against Chaudhary under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash driving, and causing grievous hurt. He was additionally booked under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act for dangerous and drunk driving. A separate case was lodged at the Nikol Police Station under the Gujarat Prohibition Act due to the alcohol recovered from the vehicle.
Ongoing Investigation and Forensic Review
Police teams are actively reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area, gathering physical evidence directly from the crash site, and awaiting final forensic reports to complete the dossier against the accused driver. The two surviving victims, Kartik Vasoya and Snehalben, remain hospitalized receiving ongoing medical care for their serious injuries as investigators piece together the events.
