E-way mishap: Truck driver says he was not at fault

SP (Raigad) RD Shinde said they had recorded Phadtare’s statements. “We are in the process of cross checking what he said with that what witnesses said.”

Assistant police inspector B R Pol said,“Earlier he said a passenger bus had blocked his path and he was forced to move towards the left and did not see the parked Tempo Travellers. Witnesses claim that all three lanes of the carriageway were empty.”

He said Phadtare has given them three different statements. “Each time they were different. He is trying to deviate attention from himself. In one of his statements,he claimed he was overtaking. Even if that is true,he is still at fault as overtaking is not allowed.”

Investigations have revealed that the reflectors of the parked buses were in good condition and the bus which Phadtare rammed into had its hazard lights switched on. “The fact that he did not see the buses is negated by these aspects. We have recorded the statements of three people who were behind the second bus and were the first to see his truck ram into the vehicle,” he added.