A shocking accident near Khairan Toli on NH-143 in Jharkhand’s Simdega district left one minor dead and three others injured when a speeding SUV, driven by a Class 9 student, crashed into a tree early Wednesday morning. The incident, captured in a video by news agency IANS showing the badly mangled Scorpio, unfolded around 5:30 am under Simdega Sadar Police Station limits during the Karam festival holiday, police said.

Simdega Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge Rohit Kumar confirmed that 16-year-old Aman Topno, a DAV school student, lost control of the vehicle while swerving to avoid cattle, leading to the deadly collision. Sufiyan Khan, also 16, was thrown from the SUV and died instantly in a nearby bush. The other occupants—Ayush Prasad, Ankit Kumar, and an unidentified fourth person—suffered serious injuries, with two receiving treatment at Simdega Sadar Hospital. The mangled wreckage, as seen in the footage, highlights the crash’s severity.

Topno, the driver and owner of the SUV, fled the scene, and police suspect he may be hiding or seeking treatment at a private facility. “The body of Sufiyan Khan has been sent for autopsy,” Kumar noted, adding that investigations are ongoing to locate Topno and his parents. Authorities believe the group took the vehicle for a joyride during the school closure.

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Simdega Superintendent of Police Mohammed Arshi blamed parental negligence, stating, “We’ve run awareness campaigns against reckless driving, but parents must stop minors from operating four-wheelers illegally.” The community is reeling from the tragedy, with calls for stricter enforcement growing louder as police work to trace the driver and hold those responsible accountable.

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