A devastating early morning collision on Rajasthan’s Kota-Jaipur National Highway claimed five lives on Saturday when a car carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh slammed into the back of a trailer truck near Chaksu. Police believe the driver dozed off at the wheel during the journey from Jabalpur to the famous Khatu Shyamji Temple.
The horrific accident occurred around 5:30 am on National Highway-52 near Tigariya turn in Chaksu, completely mangling the vehicle and trapping the victims inside the wreckage. Four people—three men and one woman—died instantly at the scene, while a critically injured young man succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to hospital.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Jai Singh, who responded to the emergency call, described the grim scene: “3 men and a woman died on the spot,” he told reporters. Emergency responders found the car with Madhya Pradesh registration had collided with the rear of a moving trailer, leaving the vehicle completely destroyed.
The impact was so severe that recovery operations proved particularly challenging. Local police and accident response teams worked to extract the bodies from the mangled vehicle, eventually requiring a crane to remove the damaged vehicles from the highway.
Police have identified the deceased as Reshma Shrivastava, wife of Akhilesh Shrivastava; Piyush Rai, son of Rajesh Rai; Rajak Rahul, son of Bablu Rajak; driver Anurag; and Shanu. All victims were residents of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, traveling together on what would become their final pilgrimage.
According to Chaksu Police Station SHO Manohar Lal Meghwal, the tragic crash occurred when the driver allegedly dozed off behind the wheel, causing the vehicle to ram into the moving trailer ahead. The theory of driver fatigue as the primary cause remains central to the ongoing investigation.
The group had been en route to Khatu Shyamji Temple, one of Rajasthan’s most revered pilgrimage sites located in the Sikar district, approximately 80 kilometers from Jaipur. The temple draws millions of devotees annually seeking blessings at the shrine dedicated to Barbarika, a legendary figure from the Mahabharata.
Investigation Officer Jai Singh from the Accident Police Station (Second) confirmed that families of the deceased have been informed and further investigations are in progress. “The deceased are yet to be identified, but we are trying to contact their family members based on the details of the number plate,” he said in the initial aftermath, before identifications were completed.
The accident caused significant disruption to traffic flow on the busy National Highway, creating a major jam that lasted several hours. Gravel from the trailer spilled onto the road, compounding difficulties for motorists. Authorities worked systematically to clear the area, restoring normal traffic movement only after the damaged vehicles were removed and the accident site was fully processed.
All bodies have been transferred to the mortuary of Chaksu Sub-District Hospital, where they await postmortem examinations. Hospital officials confirmed that the examinations will be conducted after the arrival of the victims’ family members, who have been notified of the tragedy.
The Saturday morning tragedy adds to mounting concerns about highway safety in Rajasthan, particularly regarding long-distance travel during early morning hours when driver fatigue becomes a critical risk factor. The Kota-Jaipur highway has witnessed numerous accidents over recent years, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures.
Police are examining whether additional factors beyond driver fatigue may have contributed to the crash, though preliminary findings point to the driver falling asleep as the primary cause. The investigation will also review the trailer’s position and movement at the time of impact.
The accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drowsy driving, particularly during long-distance journeys in the pre-dawn hours. Traffic safety experts consistently warn that driver fatigue can impair reaction times and judgment as severely as alcohol intoxication, making it a leading cause of fatal highway accidents across India.
As families prepare to travel to Chaksu to claim their loved ones, the full impact of this tragedy continues to unfold. The incident underscores the critical importance of adequate rest before undertaking long highway journeys and the devastating consequences when driver alertness fails.