Hazaribagh road accident: Mother, 4-year-old son killed by speeding truck at Barhi Chowk
Synopsis
A mother and her four-year-old son returning home after Durga Puja celebrations were killed instantly by a speeding truck at Barhi Chowk in Hazaribagh on 21 October. Three siblings survived the impact. The truck driver fled the scene, and police have launched a manhunt while the family — including a father working in Mumbai — mourns the loss.
Key Takeaways
Urmila Devi, 35 , and her son Deepanshu Kumar, 4 , were killed by a speeding truck at Barhi Chowk, Hazaribagh on 21 October .
The family was returning to Gaya district, Bihar after celebrating Durga Puja in Hazaribagh when the accident occurred.
Three other children travelling with Urmila escaped unhurt.
Police seized the truck but the driver managed to flee; a manhunt is underway.
Bodies were sent to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital for postmortem; a case has been registered.
The deceased's husband, Dinesh Singh , was informed over the phone; he works as a labourer in Mumbai .
A woman and her four-year-old son were killed on the spot after a speeding truck struck them while they were crossing the road at Barhi Chowk in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on Wednesday, 21 October, according to police officials. The victims were returning to their home in Bihar after celebrating Durga Puja when the tragedy unfolded. Her three other children, who were with her at the time, escaped unhurt.
Who the Victims Were
Police and local residents identified the deceased as Urmila Devi, 35, a resident of Kewalia village under Barachatti police station limits in Gaya district, Bihar, and her son Deepanshu Kumar, 4. Urmila had travelled with her four children to her parental home at Khaira-Karma in Tati Jhariya, Hazaribagh, to celebrate the Durga Puja festivities. The family was on their way back to Barachatti on Wednesday when the accident occurred.
How the Accident Unfolded
As the family attempted to cross the road near Barhi Chowk, a speeding truck struck Urmila and Deepanshu, killing both of them instantly. Children's toys and the family's belongings were left scattered across the road in the aftermath. The three surviving children were uninjured.
The truck was reportedly driving away from the scene following the collision. Police intercepted and seized the vehicle, but the driver managed to flee before he could be apprehended. A large crowd gathered at the spot, disrupting traffic movement for some time before police cleared the area.
Police Response and Proceedings
Barhi police station in-charge Vinod Kumar arrived at the site with a team shortly after being informed of the accident. The bodies of Urmila Devi and Deepanshu Kumar were taken into custody and sent to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital for postmortem examination. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the absconding truck driver, with further legal proceedings underway.
Family Informed, Husband in Mumbai
The deceased woman's family members were notified of the tragedy. Her husband, Dinesh Singh, who works as a labourer in Mumbai, was informed over the phone, according to police. The family had been in the middle of a routine post-festival journey when their lives were changed in an instant.
This comes amid persistent concerns over road safety at busy intersections on national and state highways in Jharkhand, where pedestrian crossings often lack adequate infrastructure. Authorities are expected to expedite the search for the absconding driver in the coming days.
Point of View
And incidents near festival travel peaks — when foot traffic at crossings spikes — are a predictable and preventable pattern. The grief of a father in Mumbai who learns by phone that his wife and child are gone should carry policy weight, not just news coverage.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims of the Hazaribagh truck accident on 21 October?
The victims were Urmila Devi, 35, a resident of Kewalia village in Gaya district, Bihar, and her four-year-old son Deepanshu Kumar. They were struck and killed on the spot by a speeding truck at Barhi Chowk in Hazaribagh while crossing the road.
What were the family doing at the time of the accident?
The family was returning to their home in Barachatti, Bihar, after celebrating Durga Puja at Urmila Devi's parental home at Khaira-Karma in Tati Jhariya, Hazaribagh. They were crossing the road near Barhi Chowk when the truck hit them.
Were any other family members injured in the accident?
No. Urmila Devi's three other children, who were accompanying her at the time, escaped the accident unhurt, according to police officials.
Has the truck driver been arrested?
No. The truck driver fled the scene after the accident. Police seized the truck and have registered a case. A search for the absconding driver is currently underway, with further legal proceedings in progress.
What action has the police taken following the accident?
Barhi police station in-charge Vinod Kumar reached the spot with a team and took the bodies into custody, sending them to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital for postmortem. The truck was seized, a case has been registered, and a manhunt for the driver is ongoing.
