A 55-year-old man died in a tragic road accident in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday evening, November 7, after a speeding Mahindra Thar allegedly driven by a woman learning to drive rammed into his scooter. The accident occurred barely 500 metres from his home, turning what should have been a routine trip to buy a saree for his wife into a family tragedy.
The deceased was identified as Santosh Singh Chauhan. According to his son, Rahul Chauhan, Santosh had left home around 7:30 pm and told his family that he would return shortly. He was carrying a saree for his wife when the collision occurred.
Fatal Collision Just 500 Metres From Home
The accident took place in the Awas Vikas-3 area of Kanpur’s Kalyanpur locality. Eyewitnesses said the Thar was travelling at high speed when it struck Santosh’s scooter.
The force of the collision caused the SUV to go out of control. It reportedly crashed through the boundary wall of a residential property before breaking through the wall of an adjoining property and coming to a halt in a garden.
Santosh died at the scene. His family received the devastating news shortly after he had left home, unaware that the brief outing would end in tragedy.
SUV Occupants Allegedly Flee in Another Car
According to eyewitness accounts, two women and a man were travelling in the Thar, with one of the women allegedly behind the wheel. Witnesses said the driver was learning to drive, although her identity and driving status have not yet been officially established.
Professor Kailash Chauhan, whose property was struck by the SUV, reportedly rushed outside after hearing a loud crash. He said he saw two women and a man inside the damaged vehicle.
The three occupants allegedly abandoned the Thar and left the scene in another car that arrived shortly after the accident. Their reported departure has become a key part of the police investigation.
The adjoining property damaged in the crash belongs to Anita Mahadevan, a GST superintendent posted in Bengaluru.
Police Trace Vehicle Owner, Examine CCTV Footage
Police traced the registered owner of the SUV through its number plate. Preliminary information indicates that the vehicle belongs to Krishna Kumar, whose registered address is in Panka Bahadur Nagar in the Panki area of Kanpur.
A case has been registered in connection with the accident, and investigators are working to establish the exact sequence of events.
Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby cameras to identify the occupants and trace the vehicle they allegedly used to leave the scene. Investigators are also recording eyewitness statements and verifying information related to the SUV’s ownership.
The identity of the woman allegedly driving the vehicle remains unconfirmed. Police have not publicly established the circumstances under which she was driving or the reasons the occupants reportedly left after the collision.
Investigation Underway After Tragic Diwali-Eve Accident
The incident occurred on the eve of Diwali, a period when many families are busy shopping for clothes, gifts and festive essentials. Santosh’s death has highlighted the devastating consequences of road accidents, particularly when vehicles are driven at excessive speeds.
The fact that the collision occurred so close to his home has added to the tragedy for his family. What began as a short shopping trip ended before he could return with the saree he had bought for his wife.
Investigators are continuing to collect evidence, review CCTV footage and identify those who were inside the Thar. Further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation.
