Mohali, Punjab — A high-speed SUV-truck collision on PR-7 Airport Road near Zirakpur has claimed at least three lives and left two injured, police and eyewitnesses confirmed on 30 January 2026. The impact — described by witnesses as sounding like an explosion — has sent shockwaves through the region and reignited public concern over road safety on Mohali’s busiest highways.
Crash Details: High-Speed Fortuner SUV Slams Into Parked Truck
On Thursday afternoon at around 3:30 p.m., a Toyota Fortuner SUV traveling on the PR-7 Airport Road hit a roadside auto-rickshaw and then ploughed into the rear of a stationary truck parked near a roadside eatery known locally as Kaka Dhaba.
The collision was so immense that the Fortuner became wedged under the trailer, and rescue teams had to break the windows to pull out victims. Emergency services transported the injured to Dera Bassi Civil Hospital, where doctors pronounced three passengers dead — identified as:
- Amrik Singh (68)
- Balbir Singh (70)
- Harjit Singh (35)
Two other occupants in the SUV, and two people travelling in the auto-rickshaw, were injured and rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
Primary Cause: Overspeeding and Loss of Control
Preliminary police investigations suggest overspeeding as the key cause of the crash. Eyewitnesses claim the Fortuner was traveling above 150 km/h — significantly above safe speed limits for this stretch. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to confirm the exact speed and sequence of events leading up to the collision.
Zirakpur SHO Satinder Singh has indicated that investigators are also examining whether the parking of heavy vehicles along the roadside contributed to the severity of the crash. Whether the truck was legally parked or negligently placed remains part of the ongoing police inquiry.
Shocking Moment of Mohali SUV-Truck Crash
Picture this: It's around 3:30 PM on a sunny afternoon. A white Fortuner SUV, packed with eight people, zooms down PR-7 Airport Road in Zirakpur, Mohali district. They're coming back from Delhi Airport, heading to a village near Fatehgarh Sahib. Suddenly, the driver loses control.
Eyewitness Accounts and Local Reaction
Nearby residents described hearing a loud noise and seeing dust and debris fly before rushing to the scene. Some victims were found trapped inside the Mangled Fortuner, screaming for help. Locals used tools and manpower to assist rescue workers in freeing the trapped passengers.
“It looked like a blast, not an accident,” said one witness. “There was so much damage. We tried to help them, but it was truly terrifying.”
Rescue Efforts and Hospital Update
Emergency response teams from Zirakpur reached the scene within minutes of the crash. Traffic on the busy PR-7 Airport Road was temporarily diverted as rescue operations continued for nearly 30 minutes. Injured victims were taken to Dera Bassi Civil Hospital, where doctors confirmed their critical condition.
Authorities have opened a formal case and are collecting testimonies from bystanders, vehicle passengers, and nearby shopkeepers as part of the investigation.
Why This Accident Matters: Mohali’s Road Safety Crisis
This tragic event is not isolated. Recent data and past news coverage reveal a pattern of high-speed crashes, reckless driving, and deadly collisions in Mohali and its adjoining areas:
- In December 2025, a car traveling at excessive speed hit a truck from behind, killing two youngsters and leaving a third injured.
- In late 2025 and earlier, multiple road accidents across Mohali have claimed lives due to rash driving and negligence.
Road safety activists and local residents have repeatedly highlighted the need for better speed enforcement, improved lighting, and safer roadside parking standards — especially along busy corridors like Airport Road, Derabassi road, and PR-7. These chronic concerns set the background for why this latest crash has drawn such public attention.
Contributing Factors That Often Lead to Severe Road Crashes
Based on expert views and road safety reports, several factors make highways like PR-7 more prone to fatal accidents:
Overspeeding
Vehicles exceeding posted limits drastically reduce reaction time and amplify crash force — often resulting in fatalities. The current accident appears linked to excessive speed.
Parked Vehicles Near Traffic
Heavy trucks parked near travel lanes create blind spots and sudden obstacles for oncoming traffic, especially at high speed. Authorities are examining whether this crash was worsened by roadside parking.
Inadequate Lighting and Visibility
Poorly lit highways, especially during winter evenings, reduce visibility and increase the risk of preventing drivers from seeing stationary obstacles or slow-moving traffic.
Lack of Dividers and Signage
Many stretches on outer city roads still lack protective dividers, clear road signs, and safety cues — making sudden braking or evasive maneuvers extremely dangerous.
Official Police Statement: Investigation Underway
Zirakpur Police have registered a case and are scanning CCTV footage to determine the accurate sequence of events. While the exact speed of the SUV and whether other factors like mechanical failure or driver fatigue played a role is still being examined, the initial conclusion points to overspeeding and loss of control.
Police have not yet filed an FIR but are expected to do so under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) once all primary evidence is collected.
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