Dumper Accident Case: Wagholi Police Arrest Owner Of Dumper; Owner Said To Be Aware Of Driver’s Drinking Habits Causing Three Dead And Six Critically Injured

Wagholi, 25th December 2024: A tragic accident occurred on Monday night (23rd December) near Kesnand Phata in Wagholi when a speeding dumper ran over nine workers who were sleeping on the sidewalk. The crash claimed the lives of three individuals, including two children, and left six others in critical condition.

The victims, all from the Amravati district, had come to Pune seeking work. The authorities have arrested the dumper owner, Anil Kate (39), a resident of Dapodi, on charges of negligence after it was revealed that he was aware the driver, Gajanan Shankar Totre (26), had been drinking alcohol before the accident.

Earlier on Monday, the police had arrested Totre, a resident of Kesanand and a native of Pala, Taluka Mukhed, District Nanded. The court has ordered him to remain in police custody until December 27. During investigations, it was discovered that Totre had unloaded goods in Awhalwadi and then consumed alcohol in the vehicle while heading home. Despite knowing of Totre’s drinking habits, Kate allowed him to drive the dumper.

Senior Police Inspector Pandit Rejitwad of the Wagholi Police Station confirmed that the dumper owner’s negligence was a key factor in the accident. “Kate was expected to take responsibility and ensure the driver did not operate the vehicle under the influence of alcohol,” Rejitwad said. “His failure to act led to this tragic incident.”

The three deceased victims—Vishal Vinod Pawar (22), Vaibhavi Ritesh Pawar (1), and Vaibhav Ritesh Pawar (2)—were cremated in Amravati after the administration arranged transportation for their bodies and provided a bus for the grieving families to return home.

The six injured workers are currently receiving treatment at Sassoon Hospital. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case.