Tragedy in Jaipur: 2 Dead, 8 Injured as Drunk Driver Mows Down Pedestrians
A devastating hit-and-run incident shocked the residents of Jaipur on Monday evening, claiming two lives and injuring at least eight others. The accident, which took place in a busy part of the city, has reignited concerns over reckless driving and the increasing number of road fatalities linked to intoxication.
According to the police, a speeding vehicle ran over multiple pedestrians in a densely populated area of Jaipur. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and chaos as people scrambled for safety. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Usman, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. He has since been arrested and taken into custody by local authorities.
Jaipur, Rajasthan: CCTV footage has captured a hit-and-run incident where a speeding vehicle mowed down several people, killing two and injuring eight. The driver, Usman, is in police custody. pic.twitter.com/8rDBJm3KSf
— IANS (@ians_india) April 7, 2025
Horror Unfolds on Jaipur’s Streets
The tragedy unfolded late in the evening, during a time when many people were out shopping or returning from work. Police sources confirmed that the car involved in the incident lost control and rammed into a group of pedestrians, leaving a trail of injuries and destruction. Two individuals succumbed to their injuries on the spot, while eight others were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
The injured include both men and women, and some of them remain in intensive care units as doctors work tirelessly to stabilize their conditions.
Eyewitnesses recounted horrifying scenes. “It was sudden — people were walking on the roadside, and this car just came out of nowhere. It didn’t even stop. It was like the driver didn’t care who he hit,” said one local resident who helped rescue the injured before emergency services arrived.
Local Residents Intervene, Apprehend Driver
In what could have otherwise become a hit-and-run mystery, it was the swift action of local residents that ensured the accused driver did not escape. After mowing down several people, the driver attempted to flee the scene, but bystanders gave chase and managed to stop the vehicle a short distance away.
The accused, reportedly intoxicated, was detained by the locals and handed over to the police shortly thereafter. Preliminary medical tests indicated a high blood alcohol content, reinforcing the suspicion that the driver was under the influence at the time of the crash.
Usman, the driver, is currently being interrogated by the Jaipur Police, and a detailed investigation is underway. He is likely to face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, drunk driving, and reckless endangerment of life.
Jaipur Police Launches Investigation
A senior police official confirmed that multiple eyewitness statements have been recorded and CCTV footage from nearby buildings is being reviewed to piece together the exact sequence of events. The vehicle has been impounded, and forensic examination is being conducted to verify any mechanical faults — though initial reports suggest the crash was a direct result of human negligence.
“We are treating this matter very seriously. Such blatant disregard for traffic rules and human life is unacceptable. The accused will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said the official.
A Recurring Pattern: Similar Incidents Across India
This tragedy is not an isolated case. India has seen a disturbing rise in similar incidents where pedestrians and bystanders fall victim to speeding, often intoxicated, drivers.
Just last month, a horrifying incident occurred in Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun. On March 12, four workers were killed on the spot and two others injured when a speeding Mercedes ran over them near Sai Temple on Rajpur Road. The vehicle, bearing a Chandigarh registration plate, also struck a scooter. The driver fled the scene immediately after the collision.
According to Dehradun’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Ajay Singh, all victims were rushed to Uttaranchal Hospital but were declared dead on arrival. An FIR was lodged, and efforts to locate the absconding driver are ongoing.
Delhi Incident Involving a Student
Earlier in March, a similar case surfaced in Delhi when Rishal Singh, a student of Delhi University, was critically injured after being hit by a speeding car while cycling to deliver newspapers. The incident occurred near KN Katju Marg in Rohini, an area known for heavy early-morning traffic.
Following an intense investigation aided by CCTV footage, the police arrested two individuals — Saurabh Gupta, 26, and his uncle Pankaj Gupta, 41. The duo was caught in Rohini’s Sector 16, and the car used in the incident, a Hyundai Venue, was seized.
These repeated instances suggest a pattern — one where urbanization, increased vehicle ownership, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws are combining to create deadly circumstances on India’s roads.
A Grim Reality: The State of Road Safety in India
According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, over 1.5 lakh people lose their lives annually in road accidents across India. A significant portion of these fatalities involves pedestrians, who remain the most vulnerable road users. Despite repeated awareness campaigns and legislative reforms, the menace of drunk driving and overspeeding continues unabated.
While some states have introduced stricter penalties and enforcement mechanisms, critics argue that lax implementation and delayed legal proceedings dilute the impact of these measures.
In Jaipur itself, this is not the first incident of its kind. Local authorities have in the past conducted special drives to nab drunk drivers and installed speed cameras on major roads. However, Monday’s incident has raised questions over the effectiveness and reach of these initiatives.
Public Outcry and Demand for Justice
The Jaipur hit-and-run case has triggered widespread outrage on social media and among civil society groups. Netizens took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to demand swift justice for the victims and stricter laws against drunk driving.
Prominent road safety activist Neeraj Chopra (not to be confused with the Olympic athlete) commented, “We’ve normalized drunk driving and road rage. Until we begin treating this as a crime and not just an ‘accident’, nothing will change.”
Local NGOs have also called for the Jaipur Police to conduct a fair and transparent investigation and ensure that the victims’ families are adequately compensated.
Government Response Awaited
As of now, there has been no official statement from Rajasthan’s Chief Minister or the State Transport Department. However, sources suggest that compensation for the victims’ families may soon be announced. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has been instructed to assist in medical care and logistics for the injured.
Meanwhile, political leaders from the opposition have criticized the ruling administration, calling the incident a “symptom of systemic failure” in urban traffic management and law enforcement.
Monday evening’s horror on the streets of Jaipur is a grim reminder of the dangers that ordinary citizens face daily due to the reckless actions of a few. As two families prepare to bury their loved ones and others continue their battle for survival in hospital beds, the city is left to grapple with a tragedy that was entirely preventable.
For Usman, the alleged drunk driver, the road ahead now lies in courtrooms and legal battles. For Jaipur — and for India — the time has come to reassess how seriously road safety is prioritized, both in law and in practice.
