Chandigarh, March 31 — Three youngsters, including a woman, were killed and one seriously injured when their speeding Maruti Ertiga crashed near Boothgarh light point on Siswan Road, Mohali, late Sunday night.
Police said the accident occurred around 11:30 pm, leaving the seven-seater vehicle completely mangled. Authorities are investigating whether the car hit a divider or was struck by a heavy vehicle.
The deceased were identified as Shubham Jattwal, a PhD scholar in Panjab University’s (PU) forensic science department and resident of Boys Hostel 3; Saurabh Panday, a 2023 graduate from PU’s human genome department associated with PGIMER, Chandigarh; and Rubina, who was working independently. Maanvendra Singh, another PU forensic science research scholar, suffered serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at PGIMER.
According to police, the victims were driving to Kurali from Chandigarh to pick up a friend. “They were speeding at 120 kmph and it appears the driver lost control after the car took a jump over a speed breaker at Boothgarh light point,” an investigator said. “We are also checking if they were hit by another vehicle.”
The bodies have been placed in the mortuary at the civil hospital in Phase-6, Mohali. Police plan to register a case and initiate inquest proceedings after recording the statement of the lone survivor.
