Ponda: A 55-year-old woman, Mohini Tukaram Naik, who was riding pillion, died after being crushed under a container truck following an accident on the Ponda–Margao highway at Top Cola, Borim, on Thursday afternoon.
According to Ponda Police, Mohini and her husband, Tukaram (68), were travelling on a two-wheeler from Ponda towards Borim when a container truck approaching from behind allegedly hit them from the side. The impact caused the scooter to skid on the highway.
Police said Mohini, who was riding pillion, fell onto the road and came under the rear wheels of the container truck, resulting in her death on the spot. Tukaram sustained minor injuries.
The deceased was a resident of Betki-Borim.
Mohini and her husband were returning home after a routine check-up at the Sub-District Hospital in Ponda.
Police said the container driver, Rajdhar Dandad (49), a native of Rajasthan, fled the spot after the accident. However, locals and nearby hawkers, including a vendor operating a lime soda stall, chased the truck for nearly one kilometre up to the Sai Baba Temple area and managed to stop the vehicle before handing the driver over to police.
A case of hit-and-run negligence has been registered and further investigation is in progress.
The incident has once again raised concerns among locals over rash and negligent driving by heavy vehicles along the Borim Top Cola junction to Bythakhol road stretch.
