Elderly driving SUV loses pedal control, kills woman and child in Mumbai

Mumbai: A 2-year-old boy and a 45-year-old woman were killed after a 74-year-old man allegedly lost control of his SUV, pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, and rammed his car into them in Mulund (W) on Thursday evening, police said. The deceased woman was identified as Niyati Rajiv Shah. The mother of the deceased boy, Puja Raiya, was injured.

The accused, identified as Mohan Sheshdari, was taking out his four-wheeler from his residence in Nirmal City Of Joy Housing Society at 6:45 pm. He has been booked for causing death due to negligence and rash driving.

According to the senior police inspector of Mulund Police Station, the accused panicked upon noticing two women in front of his car buying vegetables from the roadside market, opposite the society, leading to the mishap.

The SUV crashed into the victims from behind. The police also stated that one of the women was carrying the boy in her arms and both had their backs turned towards the vehicle before the collision.

All three victims suffered severe injuries and were immediately rushed to Mulund General Hospital. Shah died during treatment. Raiya and her son were admitted to the ICU. The child, who suffered a serious head injury that fractured his skull, was later shifted to Fortis Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The mother continues to remain under treatment. They were residents of the Mulund West region. Locals of the area reported that the severe impact from the collision crushed and bent the front portion of the vegetable market. One eyewitness said the bloodstains due to the collision are still visible on the road.

Further investigation is underway.