Woman killed, two injured as speeding Fortuner hits family on footpath in Ahmedabad; driver held

A woman and her son, street-side vendors selling sofa covers ahead of Diwali, were killed and a couple was seriously injured after a speeding Toyota Fortuner, driven by a drunk driver, ran over people on a footpath near Devasya International School in Nikol in Gujarat's Ahmedabad district on Monday night.

Police said a preliminary investigation is underway to determine whether the driver was under the influence of intoxicants, and a case has been registered against him. (PTI/ Representative)The driver was found to be intoxicated, according to initial medical examination reports, DCP Traffic (East) Nareshkumar Kanzaria told HT.

"The driver of a Fortuner car, who was operating the vehicle in a reckless and negligent manner, struck a mother and son and a couple present there," said Kanzaria.

Kanzaria said the two injured, a husband and wife, had come to buy from the vendors. The husband remains in serious condition, while the wife is out of danger.

The driver abandoned the white SUV and fled but was later caught by police. Kanzaria said six beer cans were recovered from the vehicle, which is registered in the name of Viral Chaudhary, who runs a steel manufacturing business on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

According to the officer, two cases have been registered against the accused driver. One, with the traffic department, is for reckless driving and drink-driving, while the other, at Narol police station, is for possession of alcohol in 'dry' Gujarat.

All three victims were taken to hospital, where the woman succumbed to her injuries. The other two remain in serious condition.

Videos from the spot showed a crowd gathering and people trying to lift the SUV off the victims. Residents said speeding and late-night racing are frequent in the area and alleged that police have failed to curb them.