NAVI MUMBAI: A 40-year-old man was killed, and his wife and four-year-old daughter were injured when a speeding SUV, driven by a drunk youth, rear-ended their hatchback on Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai early Thursday. The tragic accident occurred around 3:15 a.m. near the Sarsole Jetty signal as the family was returning from Belapur.
According to police, the impact caused the hatchback to roll over multiple times, leaving its right side completely mangled. The driver, Manish Pednekar, died on the spot, while his wife Sneha (34) sustained minor injuries. Their daughter Ananya, seated in the rear, is in critical condition and undergoing treatment in the ICU at Apollo Hospital, Belapur.
The SUV, driven by Omkar More (26) from Sanpada, swerved off the road and came to a stop on its side. More fled the scene, but police found a box of broken beer bottles in the abandoned vehicle. Nerul police apprehended him within three hours. A medical test at NMMC Hospital in Vashi confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol, said senior inspector Brahmanand Naikwadi.
Legal Action Taken
Inspector Naikwadi reported that the SUV’s airbags deployed, allowing More to escape with minor injuries. Meanwhile, Pednekar was declared dead on arrival at NMMC Hospital, Nerul. Sneha is being treated at Dr. DY Patil Hospital and is out of danger.
An FIR has been registered against More under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Motor Vehicle Act for rash and negligent driving causing death. He has also been booked under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act for driving under the influence of alcohol. More was remanded to police custody until November 9 by a local court.
Community Concerns
An anonymous citizen expressed concern over the prevalence of such incidents, pointing to pubs and discotheques in Belapur that remain open until early morning. “Youngsters often drink and drive afterward. Pub authorities should ensure patrons take cabs or arrange sober drivers,” the individual said.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws and greater community vigilance to prevent such incidents.
