Mumbai schoolgirl crossing road to go home injured in hit-and-run involving biker

Incident and Arrest

A 15-year-old schoolgirl was injured after being knocked down by a motorcycle on NS Road in Juhu, Mumbai, on August 18. The Juhu police detained a 20-year-old college student on Saturday who was allegedly riding the motorcycle at the time. The victim, identified by the Free Press Journal as Ghai Samika Kaur, an American citizen, is reported to be in stable condition.

Police have registered an FIR for rash driving against the biker, according to The Times of India. The rider allegedly fled the scene without providing medical assistance. The accused's name has not been revealed by police, as reported by the Free Press Journal.

The incident occurred around 8:15–8:20 am. According to The Times of India, the teen had finished her tuitions and was crossing NS Road to go home to pick up her tiffin before walking to school. Her friend stood at one end of the road as she crossed, when a two-wheeler came at high speed and crashed into her, throwing her onto the road. CCTV footage of the crash has gone viral, as reported by both outlets.

Victim's Condition and Family Response

The teen, who studies in class 10 of a renowned school in Juhu, sustained injuries to her head, legs, and hands, according to the Free Press Journal. The Times of India reported that she was taken home by her friend, and her mother rushed her to a private hospital in Vile Parle. Doctors diagnosed a concussion, jaw injuries, and leg bruises; an MRI also showed a bulge in her neck, her mother said.

“My daughter couldn't recollect the road crash at all, which left me very worried,” the teen's mother told The Times of India. She added that her daughter is recovering but her memories of the incident remain foggy.

Road Safety Concerns

The Times of India reported that activists have pointed out that speed breakers removed from the stretch during Metro construction work were never restored, making the road unsafe for pedestrians. Local residents had written to the BMC repeatedly to get the speed breakers reinstalled on the road, which is used by hundreds of students from nearby colleges.

Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association said: “We have brought the road crash to the attention of the BMC and highlighted that reinstalling speed breakers on the stretch is essential.”

The Times of India also noted that this is the second hit-and-run incident in the western suburbs in two months involving a motorcyclist striking a school student, following the July case of eight-year-old Reva Pawar at Jogeshwari.