‘Father Will Handle Everything’: Kerala Mini Cooper Driver’s Remark After 3 Students Killed

An allegedly speeding Mini Cooper driven by a 19-year-old killed three students after ramming into their scooter near Cochin International Airport in Kerala’s Nedumbassery around 1.45 am on Sunday.

An eyewitness said the driver, identified as Suhail Sajeev, allegedly told local residents who confronted him after the crash that his father would handle the matter.

Salim, who was near the accident site, told news agency ANI that a loud noise prompted people to rush towards the spot, where they found three people lying injured on the road.

“I was standing nearby when the accident happened. There was a loud noise, and we all ran to the spot to check if something had happened. Three people were injured on the road. They were hit by a Mini Cooper,” Salim said.

He said residents stopped the car and confronted the driver before police and an ambulance arrived. By then, the victims were reportedly unresponsive.

Who Were the Three Victims?

The deceased were identified as Devika, 21, from Wayanad; Gopika, 22, from Palakkad; and Ijaz, 21, from Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka.

All three worked at a handicrafts shop and were travelling together on a scooter when the Mini Cooper allegedly hit them from behind. They were taken to nearby hospitals but later succumbed to their injuries.

Police said eyewitnesses caught the driver after the collision and handed him over to the authorities.

Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police KS Sudarshan said the accused was suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He added that blood and urine samples had been collected for confirmation and that police would also check for possible narcotic substance use. The accused has been charged with culpable homicide.


Colleague Says Car Overtook Them At High Speed

Priyad, a colleague of the victims who was in the area that night, said the Mini Cooper passed him at an excessive speed shortly before the collision.

He said he and a friend were travelling on a two-wheeler behind the scooter carrying the three victims. The group had gone out to have tea and was returning when the accident occurred.

Priyad further said that he had to move aside to avoid being hit by the speeding car. He added that he soon heard a loud noise and saw his friends lying on the road after the Mini Cooper rammed into their scooter.

Police Examine Instagram Videos Showing Alleged High-Speed Driving

Police are examining videos circulating on Instagram that purportedly show Suhail driving the Mini Cooper at speeds exceeding 200 kmph on a highway.

Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the accident site and conducting a forensic examination of the car to check for traces of drugs.

Police are awaiting the results of the blood and urine tests to establish whether the accused had consumed alcohol or other intoxicating substances before the crash.