The Mini Cooper that was involved in the fatal mishap at Dona Paula.
PANAJI
A 23-year-old woman was killed on the spot after a high-speed luxury car rammed into a two-wheeler at Dona Paula late Sunday night -- an accident that has once again brought road safety concerns in the area into sharp focus.
The deceased has been identified as Diksha Parwarkar (23), a native of Karnataka, who was working at Hotel Cidade de Goa in Dona Paula. The two-wheeler rider, D Arun, a resident of Margao originally from Chennai and also employed at the same hotel, sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. The car driver, identified as Darius Dias (22), a resident of Chicolna, Bogmalo-Vasco, has been taken into custody, and an FIR has been registered.
According to police and eyewitnesses, the accident occurred near Manipal Hospital when a yellow Mini Cooper, allegedly being driven at a very high speed, lost control and crashed head-on into the oncoming two-wheeler. The impact of the collision was so severe that both victims were flung into the air before hitting the road.
Locals and hospital staff rushed to assist the victims immediately after hearing the loud crash. Diksha was shifted to the nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to severe head injuries. Arun suffered major injuries to his head and leg, and his condition is said to be critical.
Panaji police are investigating whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns over speeding in the Dona Paula-Malabar stretch, where wide roads often encourage reckless driving, especially at night. Residents have long demanded the installation of speed breakers near the accident spot, citing the proximity to Manipal Hospital, which sees constant movement of patients and visitors.
Despite repeated demands, no measures have been implemented so far. A senior PWD official stated that there is currently no proposal before the department for a speed breaker at the site. However, the matter will be examined to determine whether the location qualifies as an accident-prone “black spot.” The opinion of traffic police will also be sought before moving a proposal to the district collector.
The tragic incident has triggered public outrage, with citizens calling for immediate steps to regulate speeding and improve safety in the sensitive hospital zone.
