Pedestrian loses life during two-vehicle collision

A 45-year-old pedestrian died after he was hit by a biker on SV Road in Jogeshwari West. The incident happened at around 8:30 pm on Saturday when the deceased, Ashok Sawant, along with his sister, Rama Salkar (49) was waiting for a rickshaw near Domino's Pizza junction in Jogeshwari West. A south-bound Skoda Fabia was trying to take a turn when a Unicorn bike, which was going in the same direction, rammed into the car from behind.

A police officer said, "Sawant and his sister were standing closeby when the two vehicles collided. The biker, who had already lost control of the bike, rammed into the pedestrians and fell after hitting the car."

Sawant, a resident of Jogeshwari West and employee at BEST, came under the wheels and was badly injured. Salkar's legs also came under the wheels. Passersby immediately rushed the duo to a nearby hospital. While Sawant was declared dead before admission, Salkar is undergoing treatment. The biker, Salauddin Shaikh (26) also sustained minor injuries. Both, Shaikh and the driver of the car, Aqil Shaikh (58), have been arrested by the Amboli police for rash and negligent driving under relevant sections of the IPC.

"We are investigating what led to the collision. Prima facie, none of the drivers were drunk at the time of the incident. We are awaiting medical reports," added the officer.

As per official figures, a majority of the 58% of the annual fatalities involve pedestrians. The second highest deaths – a total of 30% – comprise people on two-wheelers, be it bikes, scooters or bicycles.