Three days following a fatal car crash in Vadodara that claimed the life of a woman and left four others critically injured, recently emerged CCTV footage sheds light on the lead-up to the tragedy. The video shows 20-year-old law student Rakshit Chaurasia and his friend Pranshu at a friend’s house just before the accident.
Moments Before the Crash
As per India Today, the video captures Rakshit and Pranshu coming on a scooter, talking to each other before entering the house. Rakshit is also seen consuming from a bottle, although it is not known what the substance was. Another video captures the black sedan that was involved in the accident driving across the road and parking there before Pranshu goes into the house. The pair allegedly spent about 45 minutes at the spot before they drove away in the vehicle, with Rakshit becoming the driver and Pranshu shifting to the front seat.
The deadly crash happened on Friday when Rakshit’s speeding sedan ran into several two-wheelers in Vadodara, killing a woman on the spot and leaving four others injured. In a video shot at the accident spot, Rakshit is seen alighting from the car and screaming, “Another round, another round!” which indicates that he could have been drunk.
Locals caught Rakshit, a native of Varanasi, and handed him over to the authorities. He and Pranshu were arrested after the accident.
Rakshit’s Defense
Rakshit has countered the claims of being drunk. He has stated that the accident was triggered by a pothole that caused the vehicle to lose control after its airbags had been deployed.
“We were ahead of the scooty, taking a right turn, and there was a pothole. The car also lightly brushed against the two-wheeler and the airbag opened suddenly, obstructing my sight. The car then went off track,” Rakshit informed ANI.
He also claimed that he was going at a speed of 50 kmph and had not drunk alcohol, and that he had been to a Holika Dahan party prior to the accident.
Denying drunkenness, Rakshit did feel regretful for the accident and was ready to meet the families of the victims.
“I didn’t do any party, I wasn’t drunk. Today, I came to know that a woman has lost her life and others are hurt. I want to meet their families. It’s my mistake, and I will accept whatever is decided,” he said.
