One dead, several injured in Vadodara car crash; intoxicated driver blames airbags for impaired vision

A 20-year-old law student, Rakshit Chaurasiya, caused a deadly crash when his car collided with multiple vehicles and pedestrians, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.

He said that the airbags deployed, obstructing his view of the road.

Chaurasiya and his friend were returning from Dera Circle after dropping off a companion following the Holika Dahan celebration on the eve of Holi.

"We were ahead of a scooter, turning right, and there was a pothole on the road. A scooter and a car were parked near the right turn. Our car touched the scooter, and the airbags deployed. Thereafter, I couldn’t tell where the car went," he said, adding that the car was traveling at 50-60 km/h at the time of the accident.

Initially, he denied using any intoxicants but later admitted to consuming bhaang (cannabis).

He also took responsibility for the accident and expressed a desire to meet the victims' families.

"I was told that one woman has died and a few have sustained injuries. I want to meet the families of the victims. It’s my fault, and whatever they want should happen," he added.

The crash occurred at a busy intersection in the Karelibaug area of Vadodara on the night of March 13, and a video of the incident went viral.

One woman, Hemaliben Patel, died instantly in the accident. Three to four others, including Jaini (12), Nishaben (35), an unidentified 10-year-old girl, and an unidentified 40-year-old man, were severely injured.

Footage from the scene showed the driver’s friend emerging from the car, distraught over his friend’s involvement in the crash.

The driver then exited the vehicle, unstable and shouting incoherent phrases. He repeatedly yelled, "Another round" and "Om Namah Shivay."

Leena Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police, confirmed that the driver was intoxicated and had been arrested.

According to Vadodara Police Commissioner Narasimha Komar, more than three vehicles were involved in the incident, including two active vehicles and one electric vehicle (EV).