Speeding Car Rams Walking Pilgrims Near Himmatnagar: 1 Dead, 11 Injured as Furious Mob Sets Vehicle Ablaze

A high-speed crash on the four-lane highway near Dolgadh Patiya in Sabarkantha district turned violent late on Monday night, leaving one pedestrian dead and 11 others injured after a speeding Scorpio car ploughed into a group of pilgrims walking along the road towards Ambaji.

The chaotic incident sparked immediate outrage among onlookers and fellow pilgrims, who chased down the fleeing vehicle before setting it on fire in a fit of rage.

The deceased has been identified as Mohanbhai Ramanbhai Vaghela, a resident of Nana Chekhla. According to local eyewitnesses, a massive stream of devotees was undertaking a foot pilgrimage along the stretch when the vehicle mowed them down, leaving several lying injured on the highway pavement.

Driver Attempts to Flee as Anger Spills onto Highway

Following the violent collision, the car driver reportedly tried to speed away from the scene. However, enraged local residents and fellow foot pilgrims managed to intercept and halt the vehicle.

As news of the crash spread, a massive crowd gathered at the spot. Tensions boiled over quickly, culminating in the mob torching the car. By the time fire brigade tenders arrived at the scene to douse the flames, the vehicle had been completely reduced to a burnt shell.

Emergency Medical Response and High-Level Police Probe

Local administrative and police machinery scrambled into action as reports of the crash reached district headquarters. Senior officers, including the Sabarkantha District Superintendent of Police (DSP), rural police personnel, officers from the B Division police station, and teams from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), rushed to Dolgarh Patiya to secure the area and restore traffic flow.

The injured were swiftly evacuated from the highway:

• Pluto Hospital, Himmatnagar: 3 critically injured victims admitted.
• Himmatnagar Civil Hospital: 8 injured pilgrims undergoing treatment.

Senior civil officials, including the Mamlatdar and Naib Mamlatdar, alongside A Division police officers, visited the government hospital to monitor relief measures and inspect medical care provided to the victims.

Man Serving Pilgrims Killed

Sabarkantha SP Dr Parthrajsinh Gohil said the accident occurred near Dolgadh village on the Himmatnagar–Idar road when a Scorpio driven by one Bharat Patel collided with pilgrims.

Twelve people were injured, including four to five people serving at a local service camp and seven to eight pilgrims. All the injured were taken to hospital by police vehicles and 108 ambulances. 

One person serving at the camp died, while the remaining injured were undergoing treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.

Sabarkantha MP Shobhanaben Baraiya expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. She said some of the injured were from Panchmahal district and that administrative officials were at the hospital overseeing treatment and making inquiries into the incident.

Police teams have launched a comprehensive investigation to trace the driver's identity and location, while simultaneously probing the arson attack that gutted the vehicle.