A 70-year-old woman was killed and three members of a family, including an eight-year-old girl, were injured after a Mercedes allegedly travelling at high speed collided with a Maruti WagonR in northwest Delhi’s Narela on Saturday morning.

The Mercedes was allegedly being driven by 27-year-old Shubham Sharma, the son of a Haryana Police sub-inspector. Police said Sharma was returning home after spending the night partying with friends. Officers recovered a beer bottle and an empty liquor bottle from the luxury sedan, although his medical examination report is still awaited to establish whether he was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

The accident occurred at around 8am. According to the preliminary police investigation, the Mercedes and the WagonR collided head-on. The force of the impact sent the WagonR backwards, causing it to hit a parked three-wheeler. A pedestrian, identified as 70-year-old Urmila Devi, was caught between the vehicles and suffered fatal injuries.

Family of three injured in the collision

The WagonR was carrying a couple, identified as Narender and Geeta, both in their 40s, along with their eight-year-old daughter. All three sustained injuries in the crash.

Geeta and her daughter were taken to hospital and discharged after receiving preliminary medical treatment. Narender remained under medical observation and underwent a CT scan to check for possible internal injuries. Police said he was out of danger.

The incident caused panic in the area as passersby rushed to help the victims. The elderly pedestrian was taken to hospital, but doctors declared her dead.

Urmila Devi lived close to the location of the crash. Her husband, who died in 2019, had worked as an administrative official in the Delhi Transport Department. She is survived by two sons.

Her family has alleged that the Mercedes driver was driving recklessly and appeared to be intoxicated.

Police await medical report on suspected drunk driving

Police officials said they recovered alcohol containers from the Mercedes after the crash. However, investigators have not yet conclusively established that Sharma was intoxicated while driving.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Amit Kaushik said the driver was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, but the allegation could only be confirmed through his medical examination report.

According to police, Sharma had been partying with friends through Friday night and was travelling home when the accident occurred.

Investigators said additional legal provisions could be added to the case if the medical examination confirms that he was driving after consuming alcohol.

Sharma was arrested following the crash and booked for rash and negligent driving resulting in death and injuries. An FIR was registered at Narela police station under Sections 281 and 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. 

Eyewitnesses allege Mercedes was travelling at high speed

Several people present in the area claimed that the Mercedes was being driven at a very high speed shortly before the collision.

One eyewitness alleged that the car was travelling at close to 100 kmph when it struck the WagonR. The witness said the consequences could have been even more severe had the crash occurred during a weekday, when more children and pedestrians would have been present on the road.

The impact was powerful enough to push the WagonR into a nearby three-wheeler, leaving Urmila trapped between the vehicles.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicates that the two vehicles collided head-on. Investigators are examining the circumstances leading up to the crash, including the speed of the vehicles, the driver’s condition and the sequence of events immediately before the collision.

Mercedes ownership paperwork reportedly incomplete

Police officers also said Sharma had recently purchased the Mercedes from a friend. However, the ownership transfer process had reportedly not been completed at the time of the accident.

Investigators are expected to examine the vehicle’s ownership documents, insurance details and other relevant records as part of the investigation.

The Mercedes, along with the WagonR, is likely to remain important evidence as investigators reconstruct the crash. Police may also examine eyewitness accounts and available footage from the surrounding area.

Family seeks further action

Urmila Devi’s family has expressed grief over her death and sought further action against the driver.

Her nephew, Sunil Kumar, said he witnessed the aftermath of the crash and rushed her to hospital. According to him, the woman had been severely injured after being trapped between the vehicles.

Urmila’s younger son, Pramod Bhardwaj, said the accident occurred only a short distance from the family’s home. He indicated that the family intended to submit a separate complaint to the police.

The investigation is continuing, with the driver’s medical examination report expected to play an important role in determining whether drunk driving charges or other relevant provisions should be added.

The case has once again raised concerns over speeding, suspected drunk driving and road safety in Delhi, particularly the risks posed when high-performance vehicles are driven recklessly on public roads.