NEW DELHI: A 19-year-old man who allegedly drove a speeding Mini Cooper into a scooter, killing three young colleagues near Kochi airport, told angry residents that his father would handle the consequences, an eyewitness has claimed.
The accident occurred at around 1.45am on Sunday (Oct 11) in the Nedumbassery area of Kerala’s Ernakulam district. The three victims were returning from a late-night tea break when the car struck their scooter from behind.
The Mini Cooper was allegedly driven by Suhail Sajeev, 19, who was subsequently arrested by police on a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
‘My father will handle everything,’ driver allegedly told locals
Salim, an eyewitness who was near the accident site, said a loud crash prompted people in the vicinity to rush towards 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,” he told news agency ANI.
The collision left the scooter’s occupants with severe injuries. According to the police’s first information report, the impact threw all three onto the road.
Salim said residents stopped the car and confronted its driver over the accident. During the exchange, Sajeev allegedly claimed that his father would take care of the situation.
“People stopped him, and there was some dispute. The driver was saying that his father will handle everything. Then the police and ambulance came. But the injured were already not moving when the ambulance reached for help,” the eyewitness said.
The victims were taken to hospitals but could not be saved.
Police arrest Mini Cooper driver, register culpable homicide case
Following the collision, local residents intercepted Sajeev and handed him over to the police.
Police registered a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Investigators have also examined whether Sajeev was driving under the influence of alcohol. Police have confirmed alcohol consumption, according to subsequent media reports, while inquiries into the circumstances of the crash continue.
The vehicle has been seized as part of the investigation.
The three victims had reportedly stepped out for tea before the fatal collision. All three were employed at the same establishment in Thrikkakara.
Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash. - The Statesman/ANN
