Samruddhi Expressway crash toll rises to 8; drunk driver booked for culpable homicide: SP

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The death toll in the Samruddhi Expressway accident in Jalna district rose to eight late Wednesday night after another critically injured labourer succumbed to her injuries. Following the tragedy, police have booked the truck driver for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after medical tests confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Dadarav Adamane (45), Laxmibai Santosh Madan (35), Meenabai Parmeshwar Adamane (45), Kanchanbai Prakash Adamane (50), Tarabai Gahenaji Chaudhary (60), Kadubai Ramdas Madan (55), and Sumanbai Kacharu Adamane (70). The eighth victim, Mangalabai Shingare, died during treatment at the hospital. Most of the victims hailed from the villages of Nidhona, Keligavhan, and Khadgaon.Superintendent of police Ajaykumar Bansal confirmed that a case has been registered at the Jalna Taluka police station. "During the preliminary probe, it was found that the driver had consumed liquor before getting behind the wheel. Accordingly, we have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder," he said.The accused has been identified as 25-year-old Prakash Rajwar, a container truck driver from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He is currently in police custody, and officials are awaiting further forensic and medical reports to establish additional charges.The fatal collision occurred on Wednesday evening near Kadwanchi village. A speeding truck rammed a pickup vehicle carrying labourers who were engaged in maintenance work along the expressway. The impact was so severe that seven people died on the spot, while several others were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.The incident sparked intense grief and tension in the victims' native villages. Relatives and local residents initially threatened to boycott the last rites of the deceased until adequate compensation was guaranteed.In response to the standoff, the private contractor overseeing the labour work announced financial assistance of Rs15 lakh for the kin of each deceased victim, in addition to the relief funds previously declared by the state govt.Police officials stated that three other injured persons remain under medical supervision, with doctors closely monitoring their conditions. Investigators are currently recording statements from survivors and eyewitnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events. The probe is focusing on the combined roles of speeding, gross negligence, and intoxication in causing the disaster.