In a devastating incident early Saturday morning, three women lost their lives and one man suffered serious injuries after a car slammed into a group of morning walkers in Ghaziabad.

The accident occurred near the Rakesh Marg cut on GT Road, around 6 a.m., when an over-speeding white Baleno car struck four individuals walking along the roadside. The impact was severe enough to leave the vehicle badly damaged, with its front crushed and its windshield shattered. The driver abandoned the car and fled immediately after the crash.

Authorities have identified the deceased as Meenu Prajapati (56), Kamlesh (55), and Savitri Devi (60), all residents of New Kotgaon under the Kotwali police jurisdiction. Vipin Sharma, 47, a resident of Shtam Vihar Colony, sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

“The driver of the car fled the spot soon after. We have seized the car and will soon trace the driver; besides, legal action will also be initiated. Two women were declared dead on arrival by the hospital, while the third died during treatment,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Nandgram Circle, Upasana Pandey, told HT.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Dhawal Jaiswal confirmed that the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital immediately after the incident. Two of the women were pronounced dead upon arrival, while the third died during the course of treatment. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations.

The car reportedly lost control and came to a halt only after hitting the central verge of the road. Investigators suspect excessive speed as the primary cause. The vehicle’s airbags deployed during the collision, which may have protected the driver from serious injury.

SHO: Driver Likely Unhurt, Probe Underway

“The car was probably speeding, but we will check any CCTVs to know the exact cause of the incident. A search is on to trace the driver. The airbags of the car opened during the accident. So, it is possible that the driver did not sustain many injuries,” said Sachin Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sihani Gate police station.

The vehicle, a white Maruti Baleno registered in Uttar Pradesh, was found with its license plate bent, headlights broken, and bumper detached. It has been impounded by the police as part of the ongoing investigation.

This fatal hit-and-run comes shortly after another high-profile road accident in Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan area, where Gaganpreet Kaur allegedly crashed her BMW into a motorcycle, leading to the death of Finance Ministry official Navjot Singh and leaving his wife grievously injured. Kaur was granted bail last week, with the court also criticising an ambulance driver who failed to assist the victims at the scene.

Back in Ghaziabad, law enforcement teams are combing through CCTV footage and other evidence to trace the absconding driver. A case has been filed, and police have promised swift action.