MAPUSA: Archit Sangelkar, aged 21, son of Sandeep Sangelkar, a pigmy agent, residing at Park Hill Apartments, PDA Colony, Porvorim, was arrested after hitting a girl Judith Fernandes while driving a Mercedes SUV recklessly, leaving the victim to her fate at the accident spot, in Anjuna.
Archit who is a photographer was called by his neighbor Akshay to click photos of his Mercedes SUV since he intended to sell his vehicle by advertising on social media. Archit took the photographs and subsequently informed Akshay that his sister was participating in a competition, for which he required the car for two days, to which Akshay consented.
Two days later Archit did not return the car, but instead on Tuesday, reportedly took his girlfriend for a drive to Anjuna in the vehicle. According to police reports, the accused drove the car recklessly and negligently, hitting one Judith Fernandes near the São João Chapel while returning from Gudem to Fernandes Vaddo, after which he fled the scene.
On returning home, Archit did not notify his parents nor Akshay regarding the accident. When the news broke on social media, suspecting that his vehicle maybe involved Akshay phoned Archit. Archit then confessed that he had met with a minor accident at which Akshay insisted that Archit return the car.
While returning the car, Archit admitted that he had hit the girl at Anjuna, at which Akshay persuaded him to report it to the police. He was subsequently arrested, underwent a medical examination, and was released on bail the same night.
It has been reported that Judith Fernandes, aged around 32, was doing her evening walk around 8.30pm on Tuesday, when she was hit by the vehicle. She sustained serious on the head, face and hip. She has been admitted to a private hospital in Mapusa and was reportedly in the Intensive Care Unit.
Anjuna Police have registered a case against Archit Sangelkar, who is presently out on bail.