Drunk Audi Driver Slams Into Sleeping Family on Footpath in Delhi, Leaves 5 Dead

In a tragic incident that has shocked the national capital, a drunk driver behind the wheel of an Audi Q7 plowed into a family sleeping on a footpath in central Delhi, killing five and injuring three others. The horrific accident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 12, 2025, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws in India.

The incident took place around 2:30 AM near Connaught Place, one of Delhi’s bustling commercial hubs. The victims, a family of migrant laborers from Uttar Pradesh, were sleeping on the pavement, a common sight in urban India where many lack access to proper housing. According to eyewitnesses, the Audi, driven at high speed, veered off the road and crashed into the sleeping family, leaving a scene of devastation. The victims included two adults and three children, all of whom succumbed to their injuries at the scene or shortly after being rushed to a nearby hospital. The three injured, including a 10-year-old boy, are in critical condition.

Police identified the driver as 28-year-old Rohan Sharma, a businessman from south Delhi. Preliminary investigations revealed that Sharma was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crash, with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit. Authorities confirmed that Sharma lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another car, leading to the catastrophic collision. He was arrested at the scene and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash driving, and driving under the influence.

CCTV footage from the area captured the Audi speeding through the quiet streets before the crash, providing crucial evidence for the investigation. “The driver showed complete disregard for human life,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Delhi), Ankit Singh. “We are conducting a thorough investigation, and strict action will be taken.”

The tragedy has reignited public anger over the persistent issue of drunk driving in India, where lax enforcement and lenient penalties often fail to deter offenders. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, over 15,000 road deaths in India in 2024 were linked to drunk driving, a figure that activists argue understates the true scale of the problem. Social media platforms, including X, have been flooded with posts condemning the incident and demanding justice for the victims. Many users called for harsher punishments, including longer jail terms and permanent license revocation for drunk drivers.

The victims’ family, originally from a village in Uttar Pradesh, had been living in Delhi for six months, working as daily wage laborers. The sole breadwinner, 35-year-old Ramesh Kumar, was among the deceased, leaving behind a grieving community and questions about how the survivors will cope. Local NGOs have stepped in to provide financial aid, but the loss is irreparable.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed condolences and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the victims’ kin. “This is a heart-wrenching tragedy. We will ensure justice is served,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, road safety advocates are urging the government to implement stricter measures, including random sobriety checkpoints and public awareness campaigns.

As the city mourns, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk driving, leaving a grieving community and a nation demanding change.