A 63-year-old man lost his life in a hit-and-run in Balewadi, abandoned by an autorickshaw driver who fled instead of seeking help. The tragedy, just 500 meters from a hospital, leaves a grieving family and a community questioning compassion.
Pune| 25 July, 2025: In Balewadi, a quiet Sunday afternoon turned tragic when Gopal Wagh, a 63-year-old retired professional, was struck by an autorickshaw near Balewadi Phata, moments after withdrawing cash from an ATM. The accident, a mere 500 meters from Jupiter Hospital, could have been a story of survival, but instead became a heartbreaking tale of neglect. The driver, rather than rushing Gopal to medical care, callously drove him to a secluded spot near Range Hills and abandoned him. Gopal’s body was discovered nearly 24 hours later, after his family’s desperate search and a police investigation sparked by a missing person report.
Gopal, who had recently moved to Pune to live with his sons, both software engineers, was a familiar face in his community, known for his quiet dignity after years working at a law firm in Indapur. His family’s anguish deepened as they learned of the driver’s actions. CCTV footage revealed the autorickshaw speeding toward Sangvi, where the driver parked and fled, later traced to Uttar Pradesh. Police have filed charges of culpable homicide and evidence tampering, alongside Motor Vehicles Act violations, and are working to apprehend the suspect.
The incident has shaken Balewadi, exposing a painful lack of compassion. A crowd had gathered at the accident site, urging the driver to act, yet no one ensured Gopal reached the nearby hospital. For his family, the proximity of medical care—minutes away—makes the loss even more unbearable. They wonder if fear, apathy, or indifference stopped bystanders from stepping in, leaving Gopal to die alone in a deserted area.
This tragedy highlights a broader issue: the need for greater empathy and responsibility on the roads. For every hit-and-run, there’s a human story—a family left grieving, a life cut short. Gopal’s sons, now mourning their father, performed his last rites with heavy hearts, their loss echoing in a community rattled by the incident. As police pursue justice, residents are left reflecting on how a moment of compassion could have changed everything. The hope now is for awareness and accountability to prevent such heartbreak, ensuring no one else is left behind in a moment of crisis.
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