Mumbai Coastal Road crash: 3 youths killed after car plunges from flyover at high speed
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Three young men died and a fourth sustained grievous injuries after a high-end black car allegedly being driven at excessive speed lost control on Mumbai's Coastal Road in the early hours of Sunday, 21 September 2026, crashing through a barrier and plunging off a flyover near Lotus Jetty. An FIR has since been registered at Tardeo Police Station, with police invoking provisions for rash driving and causing death by negligence.
How the Accident Unfolded
The crash occurred between approximately 5 am and 5.20 am on Sunday, when the black high-end car was travelling northbound from Marine Drive towards Haji Ali. According to the FIR, the vehicle was being driven at high speed when it allegedly lost control, crashed through a barrier, and plunged from the flyover into an under-construction area below.
The scale of the impact was stark: the car tore through a signboard hanging from the bridge, the roof was pushed inwards, the windshield shattered, and the bonnet was completely destroyed.
Who the Victims Were
The four occupants — all young men — have been identified as Shanay Gujjar, 21; Dhairya Darshan Seth, 17; Aditya Jakasania, around 18–19; and Aditya Kalpeshwar Oswal, in his early 20s. Police said Gujjar was found in the driver's seat and is alleged to have been driving rashly and negligently.
Gujjar, Seth, and Jakasania — the latter two seated in the rear — were declared brought dead on arrival at Nair Hospital. Oswal, who sustained grievous injuries, was also taken to Nair Hospital and remains in critical condition under treatment.
What the Investigation Has Found
During the investigation, police recovered four mobile phones from the accident site — three iPhones and one OnePlus phone. A Coach New York wallet was also found, containing a ₹100 currency note and the Aadhaar card of Jakasania.
Offences have been registered under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act as well as relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), covering rash driving and causing death by negligence. The investigation is ongoing.
Broader Context and Road Safety Concerns
This is not the first time Mumbai's newly built coastal road infrastructure has been at the centre of a high-speed accident. The corridor, designed for smoother traffic flow, has also been criticised by safety advocates for creating conditions that can encourage excessive speeds, particularly in the pre-dawn hours when enforcement is sparse. The deaths of three young men in a single incident will likely renew calls for stricter speed monitoring and physical barriers along the stretch.
Authorities have not yet indicated whether CCTV footage from the corridor has been reviewed, though further investigation is underway.