Ward Boy Fatally Struck by Speeding Car on Expressway

A late-night accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway resulted in the death of 42-year-old Ananda Dharmu Virkar, a ward boy at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital. The incident occurred when Virkar, a resident of Kamothe, was returning home on his scooter after visiting his family temple in Maan, Satara. He was struck from behind by a speeding car driven by 25-year-old Rizwan Siraj Khan, who was traveling from Pune to Mumbai. Witnesses reported that the collision was severe enough to throw Virkar off his scooter, leading to fatal head injuries. According to Virkar's father-in-law, Shivaji Hanumant Kharat, he had left his home at 1 AM on August 4, reached the village by afternoon, and began his return journey at 4 PM after participating in a ritual at the temple. Following the impact, two trucks on the expressway were forced to brake suddenly, resulting in them colliding with the divider. Both the truck drivers and the car driver sustained injuries in the aftermath of the crash. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against Khan, filing a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Motor Vehicle Act. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety and the dangers posed by speeding vehicles on busy highways.