Elderly man dies in mishap

Two women also injured, driver flees leaving car

A 68-year-old man died and two women were injured when they were hit by a speeding car in east Delhi’s Trilokpuri on Saturday. The driver managed to flee, but left the Hyundai Santro car at the spot, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Praful Kumar Tripathi who was a resident of Capital Apartments at Vasundhara Enclave.

Police said he retired as a senior officer with Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Praful’s son is settled in the United States and his daughter stays with family in Odisha.

Police have informed Praful’s children. “His son will reach the capital from the US early Monday morning,” said a police officer.

Police said Praful was hit by the car when he left home for a walk at 12.15 pm. “The accident took place barely 100 metres away from Praful’s house,” the officer added.

The car’s driver apparently panicked on impact and tried to flee on which he lost control. “He drove another 50 metres and hit two women walking on the road,” the officer said.

Locals began to gather at the spot and due to the traffic, the accused failed to drive away. He then left the car and fled on foot. A call was made to the police control room and the injured were rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.

“Praful was declared brought dead, while the two women are undergoing treatment,” the officer added. The injured women have been identified as Meera, 42, and 30-year-old Renu, residents of Trilokpuri.

A case of causing death by negligence, causing hurt and rash driving has been registered with Mayur Vihar police station. After an initial probe, police have found that the car was registered with an individual in east Delhi’s Geeta Colony. The owner, however, claims that he had recently sold the car to a resident of Trilokpuri.

“We are yet to identify the driver,” the officer said.