An early morning crash on Rajasthan’s Kota-Jaipur National Highway claimed five lives on Saturday, February 14, 2026, when a car carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh collided with the back of a trailer truck. Police suspect the driver may have fallen asleep during the journey from Jabalpur to the renowned Khatu Shyamji Temple.
The terrible incident took place around 5:30 am on National Highway-52 in Chaksu, Jaipur district, leaving the car completely crushed and the occupants trapped inside. Four individuals—three men and one woman—died instantly, while a severely injured young man passed away en route to the hospital.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Jai Singh, who responded to the emergency call, recounted the grim scene: “Three men and a woman died on the spot,” he reported. Emergency teams found the Madhya Pradesh–registered vehicle had rammed into the rear of a moving trailer, leaving the car completely destroyed.
The force of the crash made recovery efforts especially difficult. Police and rescue teams worked to free the bodies from the wreckage, ultimately needing a crane to remove the vehicles from the highway.
Authorities identified the deceased as Reshma Shrivastava, wife of Akhilesh Shrivastava; Piyush Rai, son of Rajesh Rai; Rajak Rahul, son of Bablu Rajak; the driver Anurag; and Shanu. All were residents of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and were traveling together on what became their final pilgrimage.
According to Chaksu Police Station SHO Manohar Lal Meghwal, the fatal collision happened when the driver is believed to have dozed off, causing the car to slam into the moving trailer in front of it. Driver fatigue remains the primary theory in the ongoing investigation.
The group was headed to the Khatu Shyamji Temple, one of Rajasthan’s most revered pilgrimage destinations in Sikar district, roughly 80 kilometers from Jaipur. The temple attracts millions of devotees each year seeking blessings at the shrine dedicated to Barbarika, a legendary figure from the Mahabharata.
Investigation Officer Jai Singh from the Accident Police Station (Second) confirmed that the victims’ families have been notified and that further inquiries are underway.
The crash caused major disruption along the busy National Highway, resulting in a significant traffic jam lasting several hours. Gravel spilled from the trailer onto the road, making conditions even more hazardous. Authorities cleared the scene and restored normal traffic flow only after removing the damaged vehicles and completing the on-site investigation.
The bodies have been taken to the Chaksu Sub-District Hospital mortuary, where they await postmortem examinations. Hospital staff confirmed these will be conducted once the families arrive.
This tragic incident adds to rising concerns over highway safety in Rajasthan, especially regarding long-distance travel during early morning hours when driver fatigue poses a serious risk. The Kota-Jaipur highway has seen numerous accidents in recent years, prompting renewed calls for improved safety measures.
Police are investigating whether any additional factors contributed to the crash, though early findings indicate that the driver falling asleep was the main cause. Investigators will also examine the trailer’s movement and positioning at the time of the accident.
The accident underscores the serious danger of drowsy driving, particularly on long trips during pre-dawn hours. Road safety experts frequently warn that fatigue can impair judgment and reaction times as severely as alcohol, making it a major contributor to deadly highway crashes across India.
