Lalbaug Bus Collision: Drunk Passenger Turns Steering Wheel, Injures Eight

MUMBAI: On Sunday night, a BEST bus (MH-01-CV-8815) on Route 66 was involved in a multi-vehicle collision in Lalbaug, an area heavily congested due to preparations for the Ganesh festival. The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when a passenger, allegedly intoxicated, had a heated argument with the driver and forcibly turned the steering wheel.

The electric bus, which was en route to Rani Laxmibai Chowk in Sion, veered left, crashing into two cars, a scooter, and two pedestrians near Ganesh Talkies at the Lalbaug signal. According to a police officer, the driver, Kamlesh Prajapati, 40, was unable to regain control after the intervention of the passenger, identified as Datta Murlidhar Shinde, 40. The collision resulted in injuries to eight people, with two suffering fractures and the remaining six sustaining minor injuries.

Senior Inspector Sanjay Mohite of the Kalachowki police station confirmed that Shinde has been taken into custody and legal proceedings are underway. Witnesses and the injured driver are being interviewed as part of the investigation.

Due to the heavy festival traffic, the area was crowded, limiting the movement of vehicles. A BEST spokesperson noted that the accident happened following the altercation between Shinde and the driver. Police officers on patrol intervened, taking the passenger, driver, and bus conductor to the Kalachowki police station for further investigation.