BILASPUR — A tragic high-speed collision on the Raipur-Ratanpur Highway claimed the lives of four people and left one critically injured in the early hours of Friday, February 27, 2026. The accident occurred around 2:00 a.m. near Sambalpuri village within the Sakri police station limits when a trailer truck reportedly veered into the wrong lane, crushing an SUV carrying five occupants.
The victims, identified as Chhatrapal Ratre (37), Vishal Lahre (25), Anmol Lahre (14), and Sonu Miri (28), were returning home after celebrating a 25th wedding anniversary at a nearby dhaba. According to police officials, the heavy trailer was heading toward Raipur when the driver lost control, swerved across the median, and struck the oncoming SUV with such force that the smaller vehicle was left completely mangled. The momentum of the trailer caused it to strike another parked truck before eventually overturning.
The impact trapped all five occupants within the wreckage, necessitating a grueling two-hour rescue operation. A police team, along with local emergency responders, had to utilize gas cutters to extricate the victims from the twisted metal. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while the lone survivor, Prakash Ratre, was rushed to the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) hospital in Bilaspur. Medical officials describe his condition as critical, and he is currently undergoing intensive treatment.
The Sakri police have confirmed the arrest of the trailer driver, who is facing charges related to rash driving and causing death by negligence. Initial investigations suggest that the driver may have dozed off or was speeding, leading to the loss of control on the darkened highway. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination, and the highway was cleared for traffic by daybreak.
This incident has once again highlighted the dangers of heavy vehicle traffic on the Raipur-Ratanpur stretch during night hours. Local residents have frequently called for stricter patrolling and better lighting near Sambalpuri village to prevent such head-on collisions. For the families of the victims, a night that began with the joy of an anniversary celebration has ended in an unimaginable tragedy.
