CCTV Footage Reveals Vadodara Crash Accused Was Driving Moments Before Deadly Collision
23-Year-Old Law Student Arrested After High-Speed Car Crash Kills One, Injures Several; Investigation Underway
Early on Friday, March 14, 2025, a fatal accident occurred on the Vadodara streets in Gujarat, killing a woman and leaving several others injured. The accident has caused serious concern regarding road safety and the role of drivers.
The Incident
Around 12:30 a.m., a black Volkswagen Virtus car, driven by 23-year-old law student Rakshit Chaurasia, rammed several two-wheelers near the Amrapali Complex in the Karelibaug locality of Vadodara. The crash was fatal and resulted in the on-the-spot death of Hemali Patel (35) and injuries to at least four others, including a kid.
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CCTV Footage and Events Before the Crash
CCTV footage from the area provides key information regarding the events leading up to the accident. The video captures Rakshit and his friend, Pranshu, arriving at a friend’s house on a scooter. Rakshit is holding a bottle, although its contents are unknown. The two spend about 45 minutes at the place before they are seen departing in the black sedan. Interestingly, Pranshu takes his seat at the driver’s seat first but subsequently exchanges seats with Rakshit prior to leaving, indicating that Rakshit had been adamant about driving. INDIATODAY.IN
Accused’s Statement and Investigation
After the accident, Rakshit asserted that he neither sped nor was drunk. The car lost control after running over a pothole, on which the airbags went off and impaired his vision, he claimed. He wished to meet the families of victims and admitted his mistake.
But eyewitness reports and images from the scene paint a different picture. Videos reveal Rakshit displaying erratic behavior, screaming phrases such as “another round” and “Om Namah Shivay” after stepping out of the car. Villagers who were present at the scene caught hold of him and handed him over to the police.
After the accident, Rakshit was detained and held on charges of culpable homicide not equivalent to murder. One-day police custody was granted by a Vadodara court to investigate further into the events surrounding the crash, such as if Rakshit was intoxicated during the incident and his involvement with the owner of the vehicle.
The accident has created an outrage among the local people, leading to calls for more stringent enforcement of traffic rules and the practice of responsible driving, particularly during holidays.
