Indica hits women employees crossing road near SEEPZ, 2 killed

A group of women commuters trying to cross Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road after alighting at the SEEPZ bus stop was hit by a Tata Indica at about 7 am Tuesday, killing two and injuring four.

The Aarey Milk Colony residents, police said, were going to SEEPZ village where they worked morning shift. They said the women were running across the road.

“They did not see the Indica (MH04 E 3091) approaching from behind as a bus blocked their view. The car was speeding and the driver lost control. Four women were flung to the right and two to the left. The car came to a halt after the hit and locals caught the driver. Two women were declared dead on arrival at Holy Spirit Hospital in Andheri (East), while four are undergoing treatment.”

The deceased have been identified as Sangeeta Vaman (18) of unit 19 and Rekha Vanade (22) of unit 22 in Aarey Colony. The injured are Sneha Wadekar (43), Anupriya Rajprit (21), Manju Prabhakaran (20) and Jayaragini Mani Prakash (19).

Five victims worked at an electronics company in SEEPZ, while one at a jewellery manufacturing unit. The Indica driver has been identified as Pravin Kanojia (25) of Dahisar.

“Kanojia was returning to the Larsen & Toubro (L&T) office in Powai after transporting two company employees, who he picked up from Yogi Nagar in Borivali (West), to the domestic airport in Santacruz,” said Pravin Patil, DCP (Zone XII).

Police said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol. He has been booked under IPC sections 279 (rash driving), 304A (death due to negligence), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others) and Motor Vehicles Act.

“L&T has given the pick-up and drop services contract to Bhagirathi Travels, which employed Kanojia,” said senior inspector Uttam More.

Investigating officer Tejasveeni Pachpute said, “Anupriya has a forehead injury, while both legs of Sneha are hurt.”

Victim Manju Prabhakaran said: “Sangeeta and Rekha, who were walking ahead, were suddenly hit by the car. A split second later, the car crashed into us throwing us to the side of the road.”

More said: “There were no tyre tracks on the road which means the driver did not attempt to apply breaks to save the women. However, RTO will inspect the vehicle to find out if there was a technical fault.”

Sangeeta’s mother Laxmi said, “My daughter would walk to office daily. I can’t believe she is no more. Her father works in the house-keeping department of the same company.”