Vadodara crash: Law student blames potholes after speeding car kills woman, eyewitnesses suspect drunk driving

A speeding car crashed into multiple two-wheelers near Muktanand Crossroads in Vadodara’s Karelibaug area around 12:30 AM on Friday, killing a woman and injuring four others. The driver, 23-year-old law student Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia, was arrested at the scene after bystanders stopped him. Police have confirmed his arrest and launched an investigation into the incident.

Chaurasia, who originally hails from Varanasi and lives in a PG accommodation in Vadodara, claimed he lost control of the car due to potholes on the road. He stated that he was driving at 50 kmph when the car veered off course. “The car lost control due to the potholes on the road. The car was running at a speed of around 50 kmph,” he said. He also expressed regret for the accident, calling it his fault and stating, “I want to meet the family members of the deceased because it was my fault. Whatever they wish should happen.”

Eyewitnesses at the scene alleged that Chaurasia appeared intoxicated and was heard shouting “another round, another round” after stepping out of the vehicle. A video recorded by an eyewitness shows him being confronted by locals before police arrived. The deceased woman, identified as Hemali Patel, was riding her scooter when the crash occurred. The impact of the collision dragged multiple victims before the car came to a stop.

Chaurasia also claimed that he was not intoxicated and had attended a Holika Dahan event before the accident. “I did not do any party, I went for Holika Dahan and was not drunk,” he stated. He explained that the car was automatic and that he panicked when the airbags deployed, pressing the accelerator instead of the brakes. When asked about a name he shouted after the crash, he said it was random and spoken in panic.

The car belonged to Chaurasia’s friend, Mit Chauhan, who was in the co-driver’s seat at the time of the accident. According to police, efforts are underway to track down Chauhan for further questioning. A CCTV recording of the incident confirms that the vehicle was speeding when it hit the two-wheelers. Authorities have sent Chaurasia for a medical test to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Police officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Panna Momaya, have stated that the preliminary investigation points to overspeeding. “Primarily, the car was overspeeding. This can also be a case of drunk driving. We will conduct his medical test to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol,” Momaya said. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will depend on the results of the medical examination and other collected evidence.