Ahmedabad: The driver accused of mowing down three people with his SUV in Nikol had previously been issued a speeding challan, but traffic police never followed it up with a summons to pay the fine, police sources said. The lapse allegedly allowed him to continue driving at high speeds without facing action despite repeated traffic violations.The investigation into the Nov 3 crash has also revealed claims from the accused’s acquaintances that he was a habitual drinker and frequently drove after consuming alcohol. Police are verifying these allegations as part of the probe.“A speeding challan had earlier been issued against the accused by the traffic police, but he was never summoned to pay the fine. The challan remains pending,” said inspector Salma Sumra of I Division traffic police.The death toll in the Fortuner crash rose to three on Wednesday after 34-year-old Snehal Vasoya succumbed to her injuries at Civil Hospital. She had been shopping for sofa covers with her husband, Kartik, when the SUV mounted the footpath near Akshar Hospital and Devasya School.Snehal, the mother of four-year-old twins, suffered critical injuries in the crash. Kartik, who was also struck by the vehicle and lost consciousness, was later discharged from hospital. He works in the administration department of DPS School, Hathijan, and is the complainant in the case.The other victims, Poonam Nagwadiya (30) and her 15-year-old son, Sagar, were selling sofa covers on the footpath when the SUV allegedly rammed into them. Both died in the accident.The accused, Viral Chaudhary (36) operates a unit manufacturing equipment for steel product plants in Nana Chiloda. His friend, Sagar Chaudhary, who was travelling in the SUV at the time of the crash, remains absconding.
