Elderly Tourist Killed in Goa Road Accident After Speeding Thar Collision

On Monday night, at around 11 pm, a rented Mahindra Thar SUV collided with the rear of a Hyundai i20 at the Happy Bar junction in Assagao, North Goa, resulting in the instant death of 65-year-old Bhagat Ram Sharma, a tourist from Bhopal. 

Sharma and his family were returning from their sightseeing when the SUV, allegedly speeding and driven rashly without due care, hit their car from behind, crushing it severely. Two other family members suffered minor injuries, while a five-month-old infant in the vehicle escaped unharmed and is under precautionary medical observation. 

In the aftermath, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against 19-year-old Shaurya Goyal, a resident of Hauz Khas in Delhi, naming him as the accused driver of the rented Thar on charges of rash and negligent driving causing death. Police seized the vehicle and launched a detailed probe. 

Videos circulating online show one male occupant of the SUV speaking on the phone shortly after the crash, saying, “Papa, I was at the intersection…”, while multiple women are seen seated inside the damaged vehicle. 

Eyewitnesses and locals at the scene have fueled controversy by alleging that occupants of the Thar immediately tried to switch seats after the collision, possibly to shield who was truly driving at the time. Some claimed a young woman was behind the wheel when the crash happened, a point now part of the ongoing investigation. 

Police are examining CCTV footage, eyewitness statements, and forensic evidence to determine the exact sequence of events and establish responsibility. Authorities say the inquiry will clarify who was driving the Thar and whether any attempt was made to mislead the investigation. 

The tragic collision has sparked local concerns about road safety, speeding, and accountability, especially in busy tourist corridors of North Goa.