A teenager was killed while two others were injured after a triple-seat bike ride turned fatal on the eastern freeway. Bikers are not allowed on the freeway.
Ashutosh Patil, 19, lost his life in the accident, while Karishma Shinde, 22, and the bike rider are in hospital. The police did not release the biker’s name because they are still investigating if the accident was his fault.
The police have booked the biker, who they think may have lost control of the bike before crashing into a divider, but are also investigating if another vehicle hit the bike.
The police said eye-witnesses initially said a truck knocked the bike down, but CCTV footage does not show a heavy vehicle.” A detailed statement of the injured duo will reveal the sequence of events, police said.
The police said the trio from Kurla had gone on a joyride to south Mumbai and were returning home around 6.05am on the northbound stretch (towards Chembur) of the freeway when the accident occurred.
“The control room was informed by passersby,” said Parshuram Karyakarte, senior police inspector, Wadala police station.
Heavy vehicles, except public buses, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, bullock carts, handcarts and pedestrians are prohibited on the freeway. The traffic police have resorted to penalising bikers on the eastern freeway. “It is risky for riders to enter the freeway,” Karyakarte said.
At times, police personnel are stationed at Bhakti Park (Wadala), Panjarpol junction (Chembur) and the south-end of the freeway to block two-wheelers from entering the freeway.
Police said during monsoon, the roads become slippery and controlling the vehicle becomes difficult for motorists. Low visibility during heavy rain only makes matters worse.
The accused has been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 304 A (causing death by negligence) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).
