Late Monday evening, twelve pilgrims traveling to the Ambaji temple were injured when a speeding Scorpio collided with them near Dolgarh Patiya on the Himmatnagar-Idar highway, according to police reports. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns on this busy route, particularly during peak pilgrimage seasons.
The driver fled the scene immediately after the crash, sparking intense anger among nearby locals and fellow pilgrims, who set the vehicle on fire. Senior officials, including the SP and local police personnel, rushed to the spot along with fire tenders. Police identified the injured pilgrims as residents of Nana Chekhla, Danotra, and Kanji Pani villages in Panchmahal district, and Ukedina Muvada in Kheda district.
Sabarkantha superintendent of police (SP) Parthrajsinh Gohil said the driver breached a police checkpoint on the highway, ignoring signals from a Gujarat Rakshak Dal (GRD) jawan to stop, and ploughed into the group.
“The driver is a resident of Himmatnagar. Further investigation is underway,” he added.
Gohil said the driver was later tracked down and taken into custody.
