18 month old boy tragically killed after being run over by water tanker in Warje

Toddler Crushed by Water Tanker in Warje: Grieving Family Demands Road Safety Measures

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left a community in mourning, an 18-month-old boy playing near his home was tragically killed after being run over by a speeding private water tanker in Warje’s Kasarwadi area on Thursday morning.  

The victim, identified as Vedant Pawar, was sitting on the roadside outside his residence while his mother briefly stepped inside to fetch water. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific moment when the massive tanker, allegedly driving recklessly, veered onto the pavement and crushed the toddler before speeding away.  

"Vedant was laughing and playing just seconds before it happened," said a neighbor, fighting back tears. "The tanker didn’t even stop—it was as if the driver didn’t realize he’d hit a child."  

Locals rushed Vedant to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival, citing severe head and chest injuries. The distraught parents collapsed upon hearing the news, with the boy’s father, a daily wage laborer, screaming, "How could they not see my son?"  

Police later arrested the tanker driver, 32-year-old Ramesh Jadhav, who claimed he "didn’t notice the child" due to the vehicle’s blind spots. Investigations revealed the tanker lacked mandatory safety mirrors and was operating without valid permits.  

The tragedy has sparked outrage among residents, who allege frequent traffic violations by private tankers in the congested locality. "These drivers race through narrow lanes like it’s a highway," said local activist Priya Deshmukh. "We’ve been demanding speed breakers and stricter checks for years."  

As Vedant’s tiny body was carried for last rites, his grandmother clutched his favorite toy, murmuring, "He loved watching the tankers go by. We never imagined one would take him from us."  

Authorities have promised a thorough probe and announced new safety guidelines for commercial vehicles, but for Vedant’s family, no measure can undo their unimaginable loss.