‘Driver, cleaner were drunk’

Eyewitnesses have alleged that the driver and cleaner of the truck, which crashed into multiple vehicles and shops in Bhatwadi, Ghatkopar (west), on Sunday, were under the influence of alcohol.

Eyewitnesses have alleged that the driver and cleaner of the truck, which crashed into multiple vehicles and shops in Bhatwadi, Ghatkopar (west), on Sunday, were under the influence of alcohol.

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After the accident, the truck driver and the cleaner jumped off and tried to flee. Locals however, caught them and beat them up. The driver managed to escape before the police arrived.

The Ghatkopar police have registered a case of causing death due to negligence, rash driving, and not following the duty of a driver in case of an accident against the driver, Babaji Gaikwad. The police have sent the cleaner Sama Rama Gadi’s blood samples to test them for alcohol.

“The cleaner claimed the brakes of the truck were not working and the driver could not stop the vehicle,” said BB Gaikwad, senior inspector, Ghatkopar traffic chowky. “We will wait for RTO to verify this.”

Baliram Ladate, 55, who sold salt at a shop nearby was on his way home when the truck hit him. He succumbed to his injuries. Maruti Rane, 70, who also died in the accident, was a resident of the area. Of the four injured, two are still at the ICU of the hospital, while two others were discharged.