RAE BARELI: A hit-and-run accident on the Rae Bareli-Prayagraj highway left one person dead and four others injured, including BJP state secretary Abhijat Mishra, officials said on Thursday.
The accident occurred on Wednesday night near Pragatipuram when a speeding car hit two pedestrians.
A video clip of the incident purportedly showed a hatchback speeding away with one of its doors open, while two pedestrians had fallen on the side of the highway and some locals tried to intercept the erring vehicle.
Officials said that after being alerted about the accident, police rushed both individuals to the district hospital, where a 67-year-old man was declared dead, while the other sustained injuries.
Mishra and his companion Bhanu Tiwari were also injured in the incident.
"We were heading towards Prayagraj and stopped briefly at a hotel before continuing our journey," Mishra said.
"Soon after resuming, we noticed two injured pedestrians on the road and stopped to assist. In the process, we were struck by another vehicle, causing injuries to me and my colleague," he added.
The SHO of the local Mill Area police station, Rajeev Singh, said, "We have taken the car involved into custody, and efforts are underway to trace the driver. The deceased's body has been sent for post-mortem, and the matter is being investigated."
City resident Shivam highlighted that the Lucknow-Prayagraj stretch of the highway passing through Rae Bareli poses a significant safety risk, adding, "Two days ago, a food delivery executive was hit by a vehicle similarly near Ratapur."
Another resident, Ashuvendra Singh, stressed the need for enhanced road safety measures, particularly at the cuts on the highway as it passes through crowded parts of the city.
The incident comes amid the state government's call for efforts by all stakeholders to check road accidents and reduce fatalities and injuries by 50%.