Major Accident On Mumbai-Pune Expressway: 2 Dead, Elderly Woman Among 3 Injured After Container Overturns, Gets Hit By Another Truck In Khopoli - VIDEO

Navi Mumbai, June 1: Two persons were killed on the spot and three others sustained injuries in a major accident involving a truck loaded with rice, a container carrying edible oil, and an Ertiga car on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway early Monday morning. The collision led to a massive spillage of rice bags and edible oil across the highway, disrupting traffic and affecting all four lanes for a period.

The accident occurred around 4.10 a.m. near kilometre marker 36.700, close to the Khopoli exit in Raigad district. According to police, the rice-laden truck was travelling towards Mumbai when its driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the rear of a container trailer carrying edible oil.

The force of the impact caused both heavy vehicles to overturn on the expressway. An Ertiga car travelling behind was subsequently struck, resulting in injuries to its occupants.

Two occupants of truck killed in crash

The deceased were identified as truck driver Arvind Kumar Rangarao Allu (44) and cleaner Shiva Apparao Bhukka, both residents of Andhra Pradesh. They sustained severe injuries and died at the spot.

The injured were identified as Kharghar residents Saurabh Murkida Saste (26), his grandmother Nilabai Kisan Saste (76), and container driver Mahendra Kumar Paul. Police said Nilabai Saste sustained serious injuries, while the other two suffered minor injuries. The injured were shifted to Khopoli Rural Hospital and MGM Hospital, Kamothe, for treatment.

The accident caused extensive damage to all three vehicles involved. Large quantities of rice and edible oil were scattered across the roadway, creating traffic congestion on the busy expressway during the early morning hours.

Police register case; traffic restored after clearance

Based on a complaint lodged by Saurabh Saste, Khopoli Police registered Crime No. 199/2026 under Sections 106(1), 281, 125(a), and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, against the deceased truck driver for allegedly causing death and injuries through rash and negligent driving.

"Traffic was restored after the overturned vehicles and spilled cargo were cleared from the highway. An hour after the accident, traffic on three lanes was restored after powder was spread on the road to avoid vehicles slipping on the spilled oil," Police Inspector Sachin Hire of Khopoli Police Station said.

Personnel from the Borghat Highway Traffic Police, Khopoli Police Station, IRB patrolling teams, Devdoot emergency services, Delta Force, Maharashtra Security Force, Lokmanya Hospital, and Help Foundation participated in the rescue and clearance operation.

Police suspect driver lost control on slope

Highway Safety Police Superintendent of Police Tirupati Kakade said, "The spot where the accident happened has a slope, and it is suspected that the driver could not control the truck, which caused the crash."

Further investigation is being carried out by Khopoli Police under the supervision of Police Inspector Sachin Hire.

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