–Ulhasnagar: A five-year-old girl was crushed to death by a truck in Dhobighat area of Ulhasnagar on Friday evening, leaving her mother hospitalised after she witnessed the horrific accident.The deceased has been identified as Mehak Sharma. According to police, Mehak had gone with her mother to a nearby shop to buy some items. While they were returning around 5 pm, the girl apparently let go of her mother’s hand and started walking ahead when a truck travelling from Khemani towards Dhobighat hit her.The impact was severe and Mehak died on the spot, police said.The accident left the girl’s mother in shock. She reportedly fell unwell after witnessing the incident and was admitted to a hospital for treatment. Police said Mehak had an elder brother who was at home when the accident occurred. Her father runs a small business.Residents have raised concerns over road safety in the area, alleging that the absence of speed breakers and a divider, coupled with potholes on the road, encourages motorists, particularly drivers of heavy vehicles, to drive at high speed.MNS functionary and resident Yogiraj Deshmukh said the road had witnessed similar accidents in the past. “Last year, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a vehicle on the same road. Recently, a young man was also hit by a vehicle and injured,” he said.Deshmukh claimed that he had repeatedly brought the condition of the road to the attention of Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation’s city engineer but alleged that no corrective measures were taken.“There are potholes at several places, and there is no divider on the road. Vehicles are often driven recklessly. Despite repeatedly complaining to the municipal corporation’s city engineer, no action was taken. Today’s death of a five-year-old girl shows the serious consequences of ignoring these safety concerns,” Deshmukh said.Ulhasnagar police station senior inspector Santosh Awhad said the process of registering a case for rash driving and negligent driving resulting in death was underway.
