Pune, Maharashtra (Monday, March 23, 2026): Three members of a family were killed and two others seriously injured in a late-night accident on the Pune-Nashik highway near Ekalhare village in Manchar on Sunday, March 22, 2026. According to the reports, the accident occurred around 11:30 p.m. when a car traveling from Nashik to Pune lost control near Ekalhare, broke through a divider and collided head-on with an oncoming bus, according to Manchar police.
The deceased were identified as Mallikarjun Shivraj Ambegave, 46; his wife, Aarti 42; and his mother-in-law, Lata Balu Tuplondhe, 63. All three died on the spot. Two children in the car — Prem Ambegave, 20, and Mrunal Ambegave, 16 — were seriously injured and are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Manchar.
The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the car completely mangled. Both front tires were found burst, and the front portion of the bus was also damaged. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined. Preliminary findings suggest the driver may have lost control due to a tire burst or after being forced off course by a vehicle approaching from behind.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after locals noticed smoke coming from the car and disconnected the battery wires as a precaution. An ambulance was called immediately to transport the injured.
Traffic on the highway was disrupted for some time following the crash.
Police have conducted a preliminary investigation and sent the bodies for postmortem. Further inquiry into the cause of the accident is underway.