Woman Learner Driver's Speeding Thar Kills Scooter Rider in Kanpur; Three Occupants Flee After Crash

A 55-year-old scooter rider was killed after a speeding Mahindra Thar rammed his vehicle in Kanpur on Saturday evening, with the SUV crashing through residential boundary walls before its three occupants fled.

The victim, identified as Santosh Singh Chauhan, died on the spot following the collision on the eve of Diwali. Eyewitnesses claimed that a woman learner driver was behind the wheel of the Thar, which went out of control after hitting the scooter.

Two women and a man were reportedly travelling in the SUV. The occupants abandoned the damaged vehicle and escaped in another car that arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, police said.

Accident Occurred 500 Metres from Victim's Home

Santosh had left his home on a scooter around 7.30 pm, carrying a saree for his wife. He had told his family that he would return shortly, his son Rahul Chauhan said.

The family soon received news of his death. The accident took place barely 500 metres from their residence.

According to eyewitnesses, the Thar was travelling at high speed when it rammed into Santosh's scooter. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle, which broke through the boundary wall of Professor Kailash Chauhan's house before crashing into the wall of an adjoining property.

The adjoining property belongs to GST Superintendent Anita Mahadevan, who is posted in Bengaluru.

Professor Kailash Chauhan said he rushed outside after hearing a loud crash. He claimed that two women and a man were inside the SUV, with one of the women driving.

Thar Occupants Flee in Another Car

Eyewitnesses said all three occupants stepped out of the damaged Thar and fled in another car that reached the spot soon after the accident. Santosh had already died by then.

Police traced the registered owner of the SUV through its number plate. Preliminary information suggests that the vehicle belongs to Krishna Kumar, whose registered address is in Panka Bahadur Nagar, Panki.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the accident.

CCTV footage from nearby cameras is being examined to identify the three occupants and establish the route taken by the car in which they allegedly escaped. Investigators are also recording eyewitness statements and verifying details obtained from the registered vehicle owner.

The identity of the woman suspected of driving the Thar and the circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established.