Navi Mumbai, November 7, 2024: A devastating hit-and-run accident in Navi Mumbai has left one man dead and his wife and 4-year-old daughter fighting for their lives in hospital. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of November 7, at around 3:15 AM, on the Palm Beach Road, a popular and fast-moving route in the city.
Manish B. Neer, a 40-year-old man, was returning home with his wife and daughter after a family celebration when their vehicle was rear-ended by a speeding SUV. The impact of the crash was so severe that Neer died on the spot. His wife and daughter, both critically injured, are currently undergoing treatment for life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the SUV, identified as 26-year-old Omar Vijay Mo, fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving his car behind. Three hours later, the police managed to trace Mo’s whereabouts using the vehicle’s number plate and arrested him. It was revealed that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Mo had been drinking with friends earlier in the evening and had continued to drink after dropping off one of his companions. When he hit Neer’s car, he was reportedly overspeeding and ignored traffic regulations, driving recklessly at a speed much higher than the 60 km/h speed limit on Palm Beach Road.
A horrifying report from the accident site shows the extensive damage to the victim’s vehicle, with the force of the collision causing severe injuries to the family. According to witnesses, Omkar More, resident of Sanpada, Navi Mumbai fled on foot after the accident, leaving behind a trail of destruction. As the family was rushed to the hospital, an outpouring of community support followed, with relatives of the victim setting up an online fundraising campaign to cover medical expenses for the 4-year-old girl’s treatment, who remains in critical condition.
Omkar More, the drunk driver of Thar, who was arrested and tested for alcohol levels, is facing charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash driving, and negligent driving. He has been remanded to police custody until Monday. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter.
Activists and local residents have condemned the incident, calling for stricter laws and enforcement against drunk driving. This latest hit-and-run follows a pattern of similar incidents, such as the infamous Pune Porsche case and Worely hit-and-run tragedy, highlighting the dangers of alcohol consumption behind the wheel. Activists argue that while laws exist, the mechanisms for enforcing them are often lax, with suspects easily obtaining bail and evading justice.
One community leader stressed, “This tragic death must be treated as a heinous offense. We need to ensure that those responsible for such accidents are held accountable, and that the courts do not let them off lightly. It is time to stop these senseless killings.”
In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, residents and activists are calling for urgent action, demanding stronger deterrents for drunk driving and better support for victims’ families. As of now, the 4-year-old girl’s condition remains critical, and the family’s future remains uncertain, with hopes hinging on the success of their online fundraising efforts to cover her medical bills.
The tragic loss of Manish Neer and the dire situation of his family serve as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the urgent need for societal and legal change.
In a grim coincidence, the same day as this hit-and-run tragedy, a major road accident occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, where a truck and a private bus collided, leaving 26 people injured. The accident took place near the Borgaon area while the bus was descending a sharp curve. The truck, which was parked on the side of the road, was hit by the bus as it struggled to navigate the curve. The crash caused severe injuries to 26 passengers, with eight of them being critically injured.
The injured were taken to various hospitals, including MGM Hospital in Kamothe and hospitals in Khopoli and Khalapur. The bus was carrying 26 passengers at the time, and while some sustained minor injuries, the eight seriously injured were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. The accident caused a temporary traffic jam as both the bus and truck were moved to the side of the road, but the highway has since been cleared.
This double tragedy on the same day has sparked renewed concerns about road safety, reckless driving, and the ongoing risks posed by drunk driving. Activists and citizens are calling for urgent reforms and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to prevent such avoidable deaths. The families affected by these accidents, particularly the family of Manish B. Neer, have expressed outrage at the lack of accountability, with many calling for those responsible to face harsher penalties.
As the community rallies to support the victims, particularly the critically injured 4-year-old girl, the need for systemic change in road safety practices has never been more urgent. While no amount of compensation can bring back the lives lost or undo the damage done, the calls for justice and for stronger deterrents against drunk driving continue to grow louder.
This series of tragic events serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk on the roads, especially when safety regulations are ignored, and lives continue to be lost at the hands of reckless driving.