Jaipur, January 25, 2026 — A string of high-profile road accidents involving popular SUVs like the Mahindra Thar and Toyota Fortuner has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of speed limits, better road safety awareness, and accountability on Indian highways and city streets. In the past two months (late November 2025 to January 2026), media reports have highlighted at least 10–15 prominent incidents, many resulting in fatalities, often linked to overspeeding, dense fog, hit-and-run cases, and loss of control.
The Mahindra Thar, known for its rugged appeal and off-road capabilities, has featured in several tragic crashes. In Jaipur alone, two separate incidents occurred in recent days:
- On Saturday morning (January 24–25, 2026), a speeding Thar plowed into a motorcyclist and pedestrians in the Jalupura/Jayanti Market area. A young motorcyclist (reported as 27-year-old Faizan in some accounts) was killed on the spot, with CCTV footage capturing the horrifying moment. The driver reportedly fled the scene, prompting police to seize the vehicle and launch a manhunt.
- In a separate hit-and-run on a Jaipur expressway (Ajmer Road area), an 18-year-old Air Force aspirant, Anaya Sharma, was fatally struck by a speeding Thar while out for her morning jog. The impact was so severe that she died instantly, and the vehicle sped away.
Other notable Thar-related incidents include:
- Overspeeding Thar crashes in Bhubaneswar, Odisha (January 21–22, 2026), where one accident killed an 18-year-old biker and injured others, and another saw the SUV ram a stationary truck, claiming three young lives.
- A December 2025 case in Chandigarh where a Thar struck and killed a 68-year-old cyclist.
- Earlier reports from Andhra Pradesh and other states involving pedestrians and high-speed collisions.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Fortuner, often praised for its reliability and build quality, was involved in devastating crashes:
- On January 17, 2026, a Fortuner carrying five tourists from Gujarat overturned after hitting a divider on the Bathinda-Dabwali Expressway in Punjab amid dense winter fog. All five occupants died in the tragedy while returning from Himachal Pradesh.
- Other reported cases include head-on collisions in Mohali and high-speed incidents in Gujarat, resulting in additional fatalities and serious injuries.
Experts and road safety advocates point to common factors: excessive speed (frequently exceeding 100 km/h in urban or foggy conditions), wrong-side driving, hit-and-run behavior, and seasonal challenges like fog in northern India. SUVs like the Thar and Fortuner, with powerful engines, are often driven aggressively by younger owners or in groups, amplifying risks.
Authorities have urged motorists to adhere to speed limits, avoid driving in poor visibility without precautions, and exercise greater responsibility. Police in affected states are intensifying patrols and crackdowns on reckless driving.
These incidents underscore a broader road safety crisis in India, where thousands lose their lives annually to preventable accidents. As investigations continue in Jaipur and elsewhere, families of victims demand swift justice and systemic changes to curb such tragedies.
