3 of family killed by speeding truck on Dhar highway, girl critical
Synopsis
A family of four on a motorcycle was mowed down by a speeding trailer truck on the Lebad-Nayagaon four-lane highway in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh — killing the father, mother, and 13-year-old daughter on the spot, and critically injuring an 11-year-old. Outraged villagers blocked the highway for over two hours before officials promised action.
Key Takeaways
Rahul (35) , Pooja (30) , and their 13-year-old daughter Suman died on the spot after a trailer truck struck their motorcycle near the Pitgara intersection , Dhar, on 3 October 2026 .
Their 11-year-old daughter Shivani sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The family was en route to their farm in Kherwas for garlic sowing when the crash occurred on the Lebad-Nayagaon four-lane highway .
Villagers staged a sit-in protest on the highway for nearly two-and-a-half hours , causing a two-kilometre traffic jam on both sides.
SDM Priyanka Mimrot and other officials assured protesters that strict action would be taken against the truck driver and safety measures would be installed at the intersection.
Police have initiated a formal investigation into the accident.
Three members of a family, including a teenage girl, were killed and an 11-year-old was left critically injured after a speeding trailer truck mowed down their motorcycle near the Pitgara intersection on the Lebad-Nayagaon four-lane highway in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, on the morning of 3 October 2026. Police confirmed the deaths and said the surviving child has been hospitalised.
How the Accident Happened
Rahul (35), his wife Pooja (30), and their two daughters were travelling from Bada Kathodiya village to their farm in Kherwas for garlic sowing when the trailer, coming from the Petlawad side, allegedly struck their motorcycle and ran over the family. Rahul, Pooja, and their 13-year-old daughter Suman died at the scene. Their other daughter, Shivani, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Villagers Block Highway in Protest
News of the deaths triggered swift and angry protests. Family members of the victims and residents from the surrounding area gathered at the crash site and staged a sit-in on the four-lane highway, demanding the arrest of the truck driver and the installation of safety measures at the intersection. The blockade brought highway traffic to a standstill for nearly two-and-a-half hours, causing a traffic jam stretching approximately two kilometres on both sides. Several passenger buses and school vehicles were among those stranded.
Administration Steps In
SDM Priyanka Mimrot, Tehsildar Suresh Nagar, SDOP Arvind Singh Tomar, and Badnawar police station in-charge Amit Singh Kushwaha reached the spot and engaged with the protesters. 'The administration has assured the villagers that strict action will be taken against the trailer driver and necessary safety measures will be ensured at the spot,' SDM Mimrot said. A separate official added: 'The road was cleared after discussions with the family and villagers. Action will be taken according to law against those found responsible for the accident.'
Investigation Under Way
Police have launched a formal investigation into the crash. The Pitgara intersection, situated on a busy four-lane corridor, has previously been flagged as an accident-prone stretch by local residents, according to reports. This latest tragedy underscores persistent concerns about the safety of rural-highway crossings in Madhya Pradesh, where high-speed freight traffic and local two-wheelers frequently share the same roads without adequate protective infrastructure. Authorities are expected to file a case against the truck driver as the probe advances.
Point of View
Speed cameras, service lanes — at accident-prone four-lane crossings as a condition of highway funding, protests like this one will keep repeating, and the death toll will keep climbing.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Dhar highway accident on 3 October 2026?
A speeding trailer truck struck a motorcycle carrying a family of four near the Pitgara intersection on the Lebad-Nayagaon four-lane highway in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. Rahul (35), his wife Pooja (30), and their 13-year-old daughter Suman died on the spot, while their 11-year-old daughter Shivani was seriously injured and hospitalised.
Who were the victims of the Dhar truck accident?
The victims were Rahul (35), Pooja (30), and their teenage daughter Suman (13), all residents of Bada Kathodiya village in Dhar district. Their younger daughter Shivani (11) survived with serious injuries and is receiving hospital treatment.
Why did villagers block the Lebad-Nayagaon highway after the accident?
Family members of the victims and local villagers staged a sit-in protest on the four-lane highway to demand the arrest of the truck driver and improved safety infrastructure at the Pitgara intersection. The blockade lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours and caused a two-kilometre traffic jam before officials gave assurances of action.
What action has the administration promised after the Dhar accident?
SDM Priyanka Mimrot assured protesters that strict action would be taken against the truck driver and that necessary safety measures would be put in place at the intersection. Police have launched a formal investigation, and officials said legal action would follow against those found responsible.
Is the Pitgara intersection on the Lebad-Nayagaon highway accident-prone?
According to reports, local residents have previously flagged the Pitgara intersection as a dangerous stretch due to high-speed freight traffic sharing the highway with slower local vehicles. The administration has now acknowledged the safety concerns and promised corrective measures following the 3 October crash.
