A deadly collision early Saturday morning, February 14, 2026, on Rajasthan’s Kota-Jaipur National Highway resulted in five fatalities when a car carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh crashed into the rear of a trailer truck. Police suspect the driver may have fallen asleep while traveling from Jabalpur to the well-known Khatu Shyamji Temple.
The terrible accident took place at around 5:30 am on National Highway-52 in Chaksu, Jaipur district, crushing the car and trapping those inside. Four passengers—three men and one woman—died instantly, while a severely injured young man passed away on the way to the hospital.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Jai Singh, who responded to the emergency call, described the heartbreaking scene: “Three men and a woman died on the spot,” he told reporters. Emergency teams found that the Madhya Pradesh–registered car had rammed into the back of a moving trailer, leaving the vehicle completely destroyed.
The force of the crash made the recovery operation especially difficult. Local police and rescue workers struggled to retrieve the bodies from the crushed vehicle, eventually needing a crane to clear the wreckage from the highway.
The deceased have been identified as Reshma Shrivastava, wife of Akhilesh Shrivastava; Piyush Rai, son of Rajesh Rai; Rajak Rahul, son of Bablu Rajak; driver Anurag; and Shanu. All of them were residents of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, traveling together on what tragically became their final pilgrimage.
According to Chaksu Police Station SHO Manohar Lal Meghwal, the fatal collision happened when the driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel, causing the car to slam into the moving trailer ahead. Driver fatigue remains the primary theory under investigation.
The group had been traveling to Khatu Shyamji Temple, one of Rajasthan’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations in Sikar district, about 80 kilometers from Jaipur. The temple attracts millions of worshippers each year who come to seek blessings at the shrine dedicated to Barbarika, a figure from the Mahabharata.
Investigation Officer Jai Singh from the Accident Police Station (Second) confirmed that the families of the victims have been notified and that further inquiries are ongoing.
The crash caused major traffic disruption on the busy national highway, leading to a long jam that lasted for several hours. Gravel spilling from the trailer added to the difficulties for motorists. Authorities worked step-by-step to clear the area, restoring normal traffic only after removing the damaged vehicles and completing their work at the scene.
All the bodies have been taken to the mortuary at Chaksu Sub-District Hospital, where postmortem examinations will be conducted once the victims’ families arrive, hospital officials confirmed.
The tragedy has heightened concerns over highway safety in Rajasthan, especially regarding long-distance early morning travel when fatigue poses a serious threat. The Kota-Jaipur highway has seen numerous accidents in recent years, prompting increased calls for improved safety measures.
Police are investigating whether any other factors besides fatigue contributed to the incident, though early findings indicate the driver falling asleep as the main cause. The probe will also assess the trailer’s position and movement at the moment of the crash.
The accident underscores the dangers of drowsy driving, especially during pre-dawn long-distance trips. Road safety experts frequently warn that driver fatigue can impair judgment and reaction time as severely as alcohol, making it a major cause of deadly highway accidents across India.
