Mumbai: An unidentified roadside dweller, who appeared to be in his mid-30s, was left critically injured after a speeding SUV, allegedly being driven by a drunk driver, jumped onto the footpath where he was standing and hit him early Saturday on LBS Road, Ghatkopar West. The vehicle thereafter climbed the steps of neighbouring shops before coming to a halt. The victim was admitted to Rajawadi Hospital ICU with head injuries and a fractured leg. The incident took place just 200 metres from Ghatkopar police station. As the victim is unconscious and no family has come forward to identify him, Ghatkopar police registered a suo motu drunk and rash driving case against Bhavika Dhama (30), who was at the wheel. The two passengers, Dhama’s friends Koram Bhanusali (30) and Aniket Bhansode, have been booked for travelling in a car being steered by a drunk driver and not providing assistance to the victim. All three are Ghatkopar residents. Dhama sustained injuries to her hand from the crash impact.The accident occurred around 6:15am in front of Excel Arcade Building near the BMC water department on LBS Road. CCTV footage outside Nana Nani Park on LBS Road showed Dhama and Bhanushali help Bhansode escape in an autorickshaw. However, Dhama and Bhanushali were caught by local women residents of the building while trying to flee. While cops are trying to trace Bhansode, Dhama and Bhanushali have been released by the police after being served a notice.A Ghatkopar police officer said Dhama underwent a medical examination at Rajawadi Hospital, and the drunk driving charge was based on preliminary tests showing she was intoxicated. “Dhama along with Bhanusali claimed to have partied at her Ghatkopar East residence on Friday night. They were driving to Kurla for breakfast along with Bhansode when the incident occurred. RTO officials have been called to inspect the vehicle to find out the speed at which the accident occurred,” the officer stated.Witnesses, including Ghatkopar resident Bharat Muluk, reported that locals and passersby swiftly responded. “The two women were handed over to the cops after they arrived at the spot. The car first crashed into the railing before jumping on the footpath and knocked down the unknown person. With the help of locals the injured person was rushed to Rajawadi hospital in an autorickshaw,” Muluk told TOI.Additional commissioner of police (East region) Mahesh Patil said, “The SUV was coming from Bhanusali Wadi in Ghatkopar East and entered LBS Marg when the incident occurred. At that time, the female driver drove at high speed and hit an unknown person standing on the footpath in front of the building, seriously injuring him. The driver and her friend have been taken into custody. The unidentified victim has also been admitted to Rajawadi Hospital for treatment.“Dhama, who runs a garba dance class in Ghatkopar East, reportedly told the police she lost control of the vehicle after taking a sharp left to enter LBS Marg. “Dhama claimed that she pressed the accelerator instead of applying brakes while trying to steer clear of a vehicle that she said appeared suddenly in front of her. She crashed into the railing beside the road and climbed onto the footpath where the unidentified person was standing. CCTV footage showed the man was thrown on the steps of the shops on impact. The SUV climbed the steps before coming to a halt,” a Ghatkopar police officer said.A shopkeeper reportedly told the police the high-speed impact uprooted the railing, causing it to fly and shatter the glass door of an ATM before the vehicle came to a halt.
