A 20-year-old biker from Wadala died, and the pillion rider was injured after falling into a pothole and being struck by an unidentified truck on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway. The deceased has been identified as Ayyaz Rajjak Shemle, while the injured pillion rider, Javed Ansari, is recovering.
The accident occurred on January 19 near Diva Anjur village, within the jurisdiction of the Narpoli police station. Shemle and Ansari were returning home after attending a birthday celebration at a dhaba in Bhiwandi.
According to the police, the two were riding from Wadala in Mumbai to Bhiwandi to celebrate the birthday of Adil Ansari, 21, who was following them on another motorcycle. While riding back, Shemle lost control of the bike after hitting a pothole, causing both riders to fall. An unidentified truck approached from behind, crushing Shemle's leg, while Ansari's jacket got stuck in the vehicle’s tire.
Upon witnessing the accident, Adil immediately stopped to assist. He urged the truck driver to reverse the vehicle to free Shemle and Ansari. However, the driver recklessly drove forward and fled the scene without providing any help. With local assistance, the injured victims were rushed to Sion Hospital, where Shemle was declared dead on arrival. In the chaos, neither Adil nor Ansari could note the truck's registration number.
Initially, an Accidental Death Report was filed at the Bhoiwada police station in Mumbai. However, upon further investigation, an FIR was registered against the truck driver under sections 106(1) (Causing death by negligence), 281 (Rash driving), and 125(B) (Endangering human life or personal safety of others) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Santosh Shinde, Police Sub-Inspector from Narpoli police station, stated, "We are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby locations. The truck driver will be arrested soon."
