One dead, 3 injured as car hits divider

Pune: A 72-year-old man died and three others were injured after the driver of their car lost control over the vehicle and crashed into a divider near Hindustan Church on Pune-Solapur Road on Monday night.

Police identified the deceased as Pandurang Jairam Kulkarni from Talegaon Dabhade.

The injured included the victim’s son, Sanjay Kulkarni (47), who was driving the car, his wife, Harshada, and his brother’s wife, Manisha.

Sub-inspector Bolenath Ahiwale from the Wanowrie police on Wednesday said, “The Kulkarni family had visited Solapur for completing necessary formalities relating to Pandurang’s pension. They were on their way to Pune when Sanjay, who was driving the car at high speed, lost control over the vehicle and crashed into the road divider.”

The officer said, “The impact of the accident was such that the vehicle got struck on the divider and Pandurang, who was sitting next to Sanjay. Pandurang sustained severe injuries on his head. Sanjay and two women sitting in the rear escaped with minor injuries.”

The injured were rushed to a private hospital where Pandurang succumbed to head injuries while undergoing treatment around 1.20am on Thursday, the officer said, adding that Sanjay and two women were discharged from the hospital after treatment. The statements of the injured could not be recorded as they were in a state of shock.

“We have booked the driver for causing the victim’s death due to negligence under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Motor Vehicles Act on the basis of on an FIR filed by constable Deepak Bhoir. We have issued notice to the driver asking him to co-operate with police investigation,” the officer added.