A black Scorpio SUV tore through Bhubaneswar streets on Tuesday evening, ramming into 10 vehicles before crashing into a road divider near SUM Hospital. The rampage left one person dead and seven others in critical condition, sending shockwaves through the Odisha capital. The chaos began near Nuagaon Chhak when the SUV first hit a two-wheeler. Despite the initial impact, the vehicle did not stop. It accelerated, striking nine more cars in a continuous chain of collisions that paralyzed traffic and terrified commuters.
The collision spree ended only when the SUV smashed into a concrete divider outside SUM Hospital. Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter panic as injured passengers lay scattered across the asphalt. Four men were inside the vehicle, according to locals. Three of them reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash. The driver, however, did not escape.
Angry residents swarmed the wrecked SUV. They caught the driver and beat him before handing him over to the arriving police officers. One eyewitness alleged that all four occupants appeared heavily intoxicated, fueling the rage of the crowd. Police have not yet confirmed the alcohol consumption claim, but the driver’s erratic behavior suggests a loss of control.
Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Saravana Vivek M rushed to the scene to take charge of the situation. He confirmed that a formal investigation has begun to reconstruct the sequence of events. The police are now working to identify and locate the three men who escaped. They will also analyze the vehicle’s condition to determine if mechanical failure contributed to the disaster.
The incident has reignited debates on road safety in the city. Bhubaneswar’s busy thoroughfares often see reckless driving, but a crash of this magnitude is rare. Police expect to release a detailed report within 48 hours. The case remains open as forensic teams examine the crash site.