NEW DELHI: A late-night wait for an autorickshaw turned tragic for three restaurant employees in Vasant Kunj when a high-end Mercedes SUV allegedly ploughed into them early Sunday, killing one and injuring two others.
The crash occurred near a mall on Nelson Mandela Marg, where the victims, all workers at a restaurant in Ambience Mall, had reportedly finished their shift and were preparing to head home.
Police said they received a PCR call about the accident at around 2.33 am, following which a team from Vasant Kunj North police station reached the spot.
Officers found a severely damaged Mercedes G63 standing opposite the mall and three men — aged 23, 35 and 23 — lying injured near an auto stand.
The trio was rushed to a nearby hospital. Rohit, 23, a resident of Chamoli in Uttarakhand, succumbed to his injuries and was declared brought dead. The other two victims are undergoing treatment, police said.
The driver, identified as Shivam, 29, from Karol Bagh, was apprehended from the spot.
According to police, he had been returning home after attending a wedding and was accompanied by his wife and older brother at the time of the crash. The SUV is registered in the name of Abhishek, a friend of the accused.
Investigators said initial findings point to the vehicle losing balance after a road diversion. The car then allegedly swerved toward the auto stand, striking the three victims who had been waiting for transport.
Police have initiated legal action, and further inquiry is in progress to ascertain the sequence of events and whether speeding or negligence played a role in the fatal collision.