114-Year-Old Athlete Fauja Singh Killed in Hit-and-Run; Canada-Returned NRI Arrested

114-Year-Old Athlete Fauja Singh Killed in Hit-and-Run; Canada-Returned NRI Arrested
Location: Jalandhar | Date: July 16, 2025

The driver who fatally struck legendary centenarian athlete Fauja Singh in a hit-and-run incident has been arrested. The accused, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, a Canada-returned NRI, was nabbed by Punjab Police from Bhogpur. The Toyota Fortuner (PB 20C 7100) used in the crime has also been seized.

📌 How the Tragedy Unfolded
On July 14, the 114-year-old marathoner was taking his routine evening walk near his village Beas when a speeding SUV hit him.

Fauja Singh suffered critical injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed by 6 PM.

👮 Accused Identified & Arrested
The driver, Amritpal Singh Dhillon (30), a resident of Dasuopur village (Kartarpur), had returned from Canada just 8 days prior.

Police traced the Fortuner through CCTV footage and arrested Dhillon on Tuesday night. During interrogation, he confessed to fleeing the scene and returning to his village.

🔎 Family Awaits Last Rites
Fauja Singh’s family has postponed his cremation, waiting for his Canada-based children to arrive.

🏥 Final Moments in ICU
His son Harwinder Singh revealed that Fauja initially showed signs of recovery but later developed breathing complications in the ICU. Doctors declared him dead by evening.

📊 Case Snapshot

The incident has shocked Punjab, mourning the loss of a man who ran marathons past 100 but fell victim to reckless driving. Investigations continue.

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