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NEW DELHI, Sept. 26, 2026 — Two cars were apparently racing through the Sukhdev Vihar area of southeast Delhi on Saturday morning when one of them lost control and slammed into an auto-rickshaw and a cycle-rickshaw, killing the auto-rickshaw driver and injuring one or two other people, police said.
The crash took place at around 7 a.m., when roads in the market-heavy neighbourhood were beginning to fill with commuters. A police officer at the scene said the car first struck the motorized three-wheeler, then rammed into a cycle-rickshaw before coming to a halt.
A tea seller who was standing 10 to 20 metres from the crash site told local reporters that two cars were racing before the impact. The witness claimed that one of the cars was overtaking the other when it veered out of control. After the collision, four people reportedly got out of the damaged car and fled in the second vehicle, which had briefly stopped nearby.
Police said they are verifying the account. The damaged car was left behind and has been impounded for forensic examination.
“We have the registration number of the car and are tracing the registered owner. CCTV footage from nearby residential and traffic cameras is being collected,” a senior police officer said.
The auto-rickshaw driver died on the spot, according to officials. Paramedics who reached the site confirmed the death and shifted one or two injured people to a nearby hospital. Their identities and medical condition were not immediately confirmed.
Authorities cordoned off the stretch for about an hour while the accident investigation team examined the vehicles. The body was later removed for post-mortem examination. Local residents gathered at the scene and demanded stricter action against speeding.
No arrests had been made as of the latest update. Police are looking for the second car, which witnesses say may have been involved in the same racing incident. The occupant(s) of that car could face questioning even if the driver of the crashed vehicle was the only person responsible for the fatal impact.
A formal case is expected to be registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with reckless driving and causing death by negligence. Police said additional charges could be added depending on forensic evidence and witness statements.
“We are also appealing to anyone who recorded the incident on their phone to share the footage with the traffic police helpline,” another officer added.
The accident has reignited concerns about informal street races in south Delhi. Residents of Sukhdev Vihar said high-speed driving has become common on the broad stretches leading to the main road, especially early in the morning.
A local shopkeeper said vehicles sometimes use the straight stretch as an unofficial racing strip. “We have complained before. This is the first time someone has died here, but not the first time a car has crashed,” the shopkeeper said.
Road-safety researchers say such incidents highlight the limits of reactive policing. Speed cameras, traffic-calming measures, and tougher enforcement of traffic rules are often recommended for residential stretches where racing takes place. In many Indian cities, fatal crashes linked to speeding are still prosecuted only after a death, rather than being prevented through consistent patrols.
Delhi Traffic Police have periodically announced anti-rac driving drives and night-time checks across the capital. The Sukhdev Vihar crash shows that dangerous driving is not confined to late-night hours. Saturday’s incident occurred in daylight, with pedestrians and street-side stalls around.
Legal experts point out that prosecution in racing cases can be difficult when the second vehicle is not traced. If the fleeing car is not found, the case may rely on witness testimony and evidence from the damaged car. Police said they are also checking whether the second vehicle passed through any toll plazas or automated number-plate recognition cameras in the area.
The investigation is still in its early stages. Police are expected to record statements from more witnesses, examine the injured persons’ accounts, and wait for the post-mortem report of the auto-rickshaw driver.
The auto-rickshaw driver’s family has not yet made a formal statement. Community leaders in Sukhdev Vihar are planning to approach the local police station to request speed breakers and better signage.
Saturday’s fatal accident is a reminder of how quickly a reckless street race can turn deadly. With police searching for the occupants of both vehicles, the coming days are likely to bring more clarity on how the crash unfolded and who will face charges.
