Delivery worker killed after speeding car rams into e-rickshaw in Kurla

The deceased, identified as Kanhaiya Verma, had been working at a grocery store in Nehru Nagar for nearly three decades. Representation pic/istock

A 55-year-old grocery store employee, identified as Kanhaiya Verma, was killed after a speeding mid-size car allegedly rammed into the e-rickshaw he was using to deliver groceries in Kurla East on Saturday night.

Fatal crash

"Around 9.20 pm, he left to deliver groceries to Sitabai Patil Chawl in Chunabhatti and was returning when the accident occurred near Ajintha Building in Shiv Srushti Colony," a police officer told mid-day.

Son informed

In his statement, Verma's son Vishal said he was at work when he received a call around 9.50 pm from a woman informing him that the e-rickshaw driver had met with an accident. He rushed to the spot with a colleague and found the vehicle badly damaged.

Damage trail

The police said the car allegedly rammed into the e-rickshaw before crashing into three parked vehicles - a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, a Honda City, and a Maruti Suzuki Swift - causing extensive damage.

By the time Vishal reached the spot, he learnt that the car driver, Sumit Ugale, had taken his injured father to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. However, doctors declared Verma dead before admission.

Probe on

Police said the driver did not flee after admitting the victim to the hospital but remained outside. On the arrival of police, he allegedly confessed to the incident and surrendered.

A case has been registered against Ugale under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act, including causing death by negligence. He has been arrested and will be produced in court today. Ugale wasn't intoxicated at the time of the crash and told the police that he lost control of the vehicle.

Family left behind

Kanhaiya Verma, a native of Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district, had worked at a grocery store in Nehru Nagar for nearly three decades and was the family's sole breadwinner. He is survived by his wife, son Vishal, and daughter Anita.

May 30
Day when the incident occured