Devastating Accident on Rampur Road: Speeding SUV Uproots Tree and Claims a Life

A horrifying accident on Rampur Road in Haldwani on Wednesday night left the entire city shocked. A speeding and uncontrolled SUV ran over a scooter rider, Sagar Negi, and uprooted a decades-old sturdy tree in its path. The collision was so intense that the car’s spare tire and one wheel detached—one hung from a tree, while the other landed in a nearby field. The lack of streetlights on this stretch of road has once again raised serious concerns about public safety and road infrastructure.

Sagar Negi, an architect by profession, was riding his scooter home, carrying important work documents in its storage compartment. Little did he know that his journey would be cut short by a fatal accident. Eyewitnesses reported that the SUV, traveling at a speed of 100-120 km/h, struck Sagar as he tried to cross the main road. The impact left him trapped in the vehicle’s front, which spiraled out of control. In a matter of seconds, the SUV covered a distance of about 150 meters, forcing bystanders to jump into nearby fields to save their lives.

The crash threw Sagar and his mangled scooter far away, leaving nothing but the vehicle’s license plate intact. The SUV eventually smashed into a tree, overturning upon impact. Parts of the vehicle, including its bumper and spare tire, were scattered across the area, with the tree taking significant damage. Tragically, the accident has left Sagar’s one-year-old daughter fatherless, a devastating loss for his family.

At the scene, the burning headlights and deployed airbags of the SUV painted a grim picture of the accident’s severity. Inside the vehicle, items like a cricket bat, blanket, bedsheet, a box of religious offerings, and a mobile phone packaging box were found scattered. The collision also caused damage to nearby shops, tore down electricity meters, and disrupted dish connections in nearby homes. Thankfully, a high-tension power pole remained intact; otherwise, the consequences could have been even more catastrophic.

The SUV was being driven by a 17-year-old minor, temporarily residing on RTO Road in Haldwani. Originally from Nagpur's Yashodhara area, the teenager lacked a driver’s license and any valid vehicle documents. The SUV, registered under the name of a woman in East Delhi's Shakurpur area, already had a history of violations, including a hefty ₹34,700 fine that had been settled earlier.

This tragic incident highlights the pressing need for better road safety measures in Haldwani. The absence of proper streetlights, combined with reckless driving and overspeeding, has turned roads like Rampur Road into accident-prone zones. Authorities must take immediate steps to improve infrastructure and enforce stricter traffic rules to prevent such heartbreaking accidents.

This tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving. Whether you're behind the wheel or crossing the road, caution and awareness can save lives. Let’s pledge to follow traffic rules, discourage overspeeding, and create a culture of safe driving. Remember, one moment of recklessness can lead to irreversible consequences—for you and others around you.