Patna car crash at Police HQ: Driver rams 3 vehicles outside Patel Bhawan
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A private car lost control and ploughed into a row of government vehicles outside Patel Bhawan, the Bihar Police Headquarters in Patna, on Wednesday, 29 July, injuring the driver and damaging at least three to four official vehicles belonging to senior officers. The chain-reaction crash briefly disrupted traffic on Bailey Road and triggered a brief commotion within the headquarters premises.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to eyewitnesses, the white private car was travelling east after descending the flyover near Patel Bhawan when the driver suddenly lost control. Preliminary findings suggest the driver may have accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to speed toward the entrance of the Police Headquarters.
The car first struck the Scorpio belonging to Patna's Sergeant Major, ripping off the rear bumper and bursting the rear right tyre with a loud explosion that echoed across the complex. The force of the impact pushed the Scorpio into the Traffic DSP-1 official vehicle, which in turn struck the Traffic DSP-5 government vehicle. A motorcycle belonging to a journalist parked nearby was also caught in the chain-reaction collision.
Driver Injured, Vehicles Impounded
The driver sustained injuries to his nose and mouth. Witnesses said he remained inside the vehicle for nearly 10 minutes, covering his face with a handkerchief and unable to step out due to pain. Police personnel at the scene repeatedly urged him to exit before eventually assisting him. He has since been shifted to a hospital for treatment and taken into custody.
The private car has been impounded. Further investigation is underway, with teams from Shastri Nagar police station and the traffic police already at the scene.
Timing and Context
The accident took place during an ongoing meeting of senior police officers inside Patel Bhawan, which explains why several official vehicles were parked at the entrance. The tyre burst drew police personnel and bystanders rushing to the spot, briefly disrupting operations at the headquarters. Traffic on Bailey Road was congested for a short period before personnel cleared the damaged vehicles and restored normal flow.
Investigation Under Way
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the driver was under any influence or suffered a medical episode. Preliminary reports point to an accidental pressing of the accelerator, but investigators have not ruled out other factors. The impounded vehicle is expected to undergo a mechanical inspection as part of the probe. With the driver now hospitalised and in custody, a fuller picture of what caused the loss of control is expected to emerge in the coming days.