Taj employee dies as Goa bizman's son driving brand-new Mini Cooper hits two-wheeler at Dona Paula

Panaji: Karnataka native Diksha Parwadkar, 23, was killed and her colleague, D Arunkumar, 26, a Margao resident, was seriously injured after the two-wheeler on which they were travelling was hit by a new Mini Cooper driven by Darius Myles Dias, 22, at Dona Paula.

The impact of the accident led to the Mini Cooper’s airbag getting deployed, and the two-wheeler stopped over 50m from the spot where the accident occurred. The Mini Cooper had a temporary registration as it was newly purchased. Even the ribbon tied on the door handle was not removed. The bonnet of the Mini Cooper, headlamps, front bumper and front windshield were completely damaged in the accident.

Darius, son of businessman Andrew Dias, has been arrested in the accident case, Panaji PI Vijaykumar Chodankar said.

The incident took place on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

Darius was proceeding from Dona Paula towards Bambolim, in his Mini Cooper, and he hit the two-wheeler from behind when duo crossed the road to proceed towards Bambolim.

Parwadkar was working as an apprentice. She and Arunkumar were on their way home after work when the accident took place. Both work at the front office of Taj Convention Centre, Chodankar said.

After the accident, both were shifted to a private hospital for treatment. But Parwadkar passed away, whereas Arunkumar is undergoing treatment.

An eyewitness said that the speeding car approached the Taj Convention Centre junction from where a two-wheeler was crossing the road, and both the rider and pillion rider were flung into the air and fell on the road.

Panaji PI said that Panaji police registered the first information report under Section 106 of BNS (causing death by negligence). Chodankar said that the preliminary alcohol test on Darius was negative, but blood samples have been collected and sent for medical tests to find out whether he was under the influence of alcohol. “The blood test result is awaited,” he said.

A local demanded that govt should install speed breakers at the spot as it becomes a racing track for youths between Dona Paula and Bambolim.