Dad will handle it: Kerala teen's remark after Mini Cooper crash kills 3 students

A speeding Mini Cooper rammed a scooter near Kochi airport, killing three students. Police have detained the 19-year-old driver and are awaiting test results as they probe suspected intoxication.

In Short

• Driver Suhail Sajeev taken into custody, claims father will handle case
• Driver admitted consuming beer, blood test reports awaited
• Victims identified as Devika, Gopika and Ijaz, all working in Thrikkakara

Three students were killed after a speeding Mini Cooper rammed into their scooter near Kochi airport in Kerala’s Ernakulam district in the early hours of Sunday. The car’s driver, identified as Suhail Sajeev (19), was taken into custody after the crash and reportedly told local residents who confronted him that his father would take care of everything.

The accident took place at around 2 am at Nedumbassery when the three students were returning home after having tea at a nearby shop. The victims, including two women, have been identified as Devika, a native of Wayanad, Gopika, a native of Palakkad, and Ijaz, a native of Karnataka. All three were also working in Thrikkakara.

According to police, the speeding car hit the two-wheeler, leaving all three riders critically injured. Locals rushed them to a hospital, but they died.

The driver has been booked for culpable homicide and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police suspect he may have been driving under the influence of intoxicating substances, and blood test reports are awaited.

DRIVER SAYS HE HAD CONSUMED BEER

Police said Suhail was taken for a medical examination after the accident. He allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol before the crash, claiming that it was only beer. His blood and other samples have been collected to determine whether he had consumed alcohol or any other intoxicating substances.

Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police K S Sudarsan told reporters that a forensic examination of the car was also under way to check whether any intoxicating substances were found inside it.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the driver may have been drunk at the time of the accident, Sudarsan said. However, this would have to be confirmed by the blood test reports, which are awaited.

Police said the car was registered in Suhail’s father’s name and that he holds a valid driving licence.

DRIVER ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED AT HOSPITAL

In a separate development, some friends of the victims allegedly attacked Suhail when he was taken for a medical examination. Police said they confronted him inside the hospital and later hit him on the head from behind as he was being taken outside.

Police personnel intervened to prevent further attacks and took one of the alleged assailants into custody.

VISUALS SHOW HIGH-SPEED COLLISION

Visuals of the accident aired on television channels showed the Mini Cooper speeding down a wide road before crashing into the two-wheeler, which was travelling along the extreme left side.

The footage showed the force of the collision throwing one of the women riding pillion high into the air. The scooter was left mangled, with pieces scattered across the accident site. The car was also badly damaged.

Sudarsan said police patrolling and other preventive measures would be strengthened in the area near the airport to prevent accidents caused by overspeeding.

The investigation is continuing, with police awaiting blood test results and the findings of the forensic examination of the car.

- Ends