Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Jun 19: A young woman lost her life and two men sustained critical injuries after a speeding Mahindra Thar rammed into two scooters and a parked goods carrier in Goa's Morjim area late on Wednesday night, police said.

Police arrested the driver, identified as 45-year-old Vikram Ashok Gaba, a native of Haryana currently residing in Calangute, on Thursday. According to officials, he allegedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.

An FIR has been registered against Gaba under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 281 (rash driving), Section 125(a) (causing hurt through a rash or negligent act), Section 125(b) (causing grievous hurt through negligence) and Section 106 (causing death by negligence).

Police have also booked Roheet Rathod, a resident of Candolim, for allegedly renting out the Mahindra Thar to Gaba in violation of legal norms.

Authorities said the deceased woman has not yet been identified as her body was severely mutilated in the impact, making immediate identification difficult.

The two injured victims have been identified as Devashish Samal, 32, and Gatish Samal, 35, both residents of Odisha. They are currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital, where their condition is being monitored.

According to preliminary investigations, Gaba lost control of the SUV before crashing into two scooters and a parked goods carrier. The force of the collision caused the vehicle to overturn.

Local residents rushed to the spot to rescue the victims and immediately alerted emergency services.

Police Sub-Inspector Jaydeep Palyekar is leading the investigation, and further inquiries are underway to determine all circumstances surrounding the incident.