Boy, 17, driving rental luxury car on birthday runs over man in Delhi, rams other vehicles

The incident took place in Kishangarh area around 2am October 4, when the minor took out the car to celebrate his birthday.

A teenager who was out on a drive in a rented luxury car, within hours of turning 17 on October 4, was apprehended for allegedly mowing down a 45-year-old pedestrian and crashing his car into three other vehicles in southwest Delhi’s Kishangarh, officers aware of the matter said.

The drivers of the other vehicles did not sustain injuries in the crash, the police said. (HT File Photo)

According to police officials aware of the development said initial probe suggests that his family had rented the car, an Audi, for the minor’s birthday.

“We have found that the accused or his parents used an app to rent the car for a day. They paid ₹16,000 for one day for the car. We are questioning the boy’s family as well,” an officer aware of the development said.

Rental company under police scrutiny

A case under sections of rash driving and causing death due to negligence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act was registered, police officials said.

The company that leased the luxury car to the minor is also under scrutiny, said the police, who will check details of the booking, age verification process, provision for driving licence and other documents needed for the rental process.

“If any lapse or violation is found, appropriate action will be taken in the matter,” added the officer.

The boy was produced before the juvenile justice board, added the officer.

Police said the pedestrian suffered severe injuries and succumbed during treatment.

The incident was reported at 2.35am, police said.

Car being driven rashly

“A road traffic accident was reported opposite the CNG pump traffic signal at Kishangarh, involving a luxury car and three other vehicles. The luxury car was allegedly being driven rashly and negligently by a 17-year-old boy,” deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Amit Goel said.

“One pedestrian, an approximately 45-year-old male, sustained injuries in the accident and was shifted to JPN Apex Trauma Centre, where he was declared dead,” Goel added.

The deceased, identified later as Uma Shankar, 45, was a resident of Kishangarh and is survived by his wife and children.

Police said he was unemployed while the wife did odd jobs.

Police said the drivers of the three cars he crashed into did not suffer an injury. The incident took place while he was returning home, and he was alone in the vehicle, they said.

“The vehicles involved in the accident were seized as per law,” the DCP said.