Pune: Waste Picker Killed by Water Tanker in Wagholi; Unlicensed Driver, No Insurance
Wagholi, 23rd February 2025: On Saturday morning, between 7:15 to 7:30 AM, waste picker Radhika Sonawane lost her life in a tragic accident after being hit by a water tanker while on her way for doorstep waste collection.
Like every day, Radhika had set out early for work and was walking along the left side of the road near Gokul Sweet Home at Kesnand Phata when a water tanker traveling from Pune towards Nagar hit her from behind, crushing her under the vehicle. The impact was so severe that 52-year-old Radhika suffered critical injuries and lost consciousness. She was immediately rushed to Imax Hospital for emergency treatment, where doctors confirmed that she had sustained severe injuries to both legs and chest, along with multiple abrasions all over her body. She remained unconscious throughout and was later declared dead during treatment.
The tanker driver, 20-year-old Ajay Dhotre, was taken into custody by the Wagholi Police Station from the accident site and is currently under police custody. During the investigation, it was revealed that the driver had no valid driving license and that the tanker had no insurance.
“Radhika never regained consciousness after the accident. A hardworking woman who earned her livelihood honestly to support herself and her family lost her life due to the sheer negligence and irresponsibility of both the tanker driver and owner”, said a representative of SWaCH and Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat which has condemned this incident.
Radhika Sonawane’s son-in-law, Sharad Bhakre, has filed a legal complaint against both the driver and the owner with the police.
