A 34-year-old cyclist was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident on Saturday morning when a speeding Mercedes allegedly struck him near Ashram in South Delhi. The driver, identified as Pradeep Gautam, has been arrested, and the vehicle has been seized, police officials said.
The victim, Rajesh, was riding his cycle when the Mercedes hit him from behind, killing him instantly. According to the police, the incident occurred early in the morning, and the driver fled the scene immediately after the accident. Later in the evening, the driver surrendered at a nearby police station.
Investigations revealed that the car’s owner had given the vehicle to Pradeep Gautam a month ago to facilitate its sale. The police traced the ownership of the vehicle, which led them to identify and apprehend Gautam.
The victim’s body was discovered by the roadside, while his cycle was found approximately 150 meters away, indicating the force of the collision. The deceased’s uncle, Habi Prasad, said Rajesh was on his way to work when the accident occurred.
“The Mercedes driver hit him from behind and dragged him for about 7-8 meters. He died on the spot. The cycle was dragged for at least 100-150 meters,” Prasad said.
The postmortem examination of the deceased is scheduled for Sunday, police officials confirmed. The investigation is ongoing.