Full Breakdown
Fatal Mini Cooper Crash Near Kochi Airport Claims Three Young Lives
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The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
In the early hours of Sunday, a 19-year-old student, Suhail Sajeev, drove a Mini Cooper at high speed on the road to Cochin International Airport. Police reports say the car struck a scooter carrying three 21-year-old part-time salespersons—Gopika (Palakkad), Devika (Wayanad) and Ijaz (Mangaluru, Karnataka). The impact threw the riders onto the road and dragged the scooter for nearly 100 metres before the car stopped. Gopika and Devina died at the scene; Ijaz succumbed later in hospital.
Investigation Findings
- Speed: Witnesses and a video posted by the driver earlier in the year show the Mini Cooper traveling at about 125 km/h at the time of the collision, with other footage indicating speeds exceeding 200 km/h.
- Alcohol: Police allege Suhail consumed alcohol at three liquor bars the night before, despite Kerala’s legal drinking age of 23. Blood and other samples have been taken; results are pending.
- Legal Action: Suhail has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s Section 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and is in police custody.
Official Statements & Responses
Kerala Excise Minister M Liju ordered immediate registration of cases against the bars that served the under-age driver and directed the Excise Commissioner to identify the establishments. Ernakulam Rural SP K S Sudarsan said the vehicle is undergoing forensic examination and that “strict action will be taken” once the investigation concludes. A police officer confirmed the driver was assaulted by acquaintances of the victims during a medical examination, and additional police patrols have been deployed near the airport road to curb overspeeding.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I will ensure justice to the families of the deceased.” — Licence
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage over reckless driving, under-age alcohol consumption, and perceived impunity, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of traffic and liquor-sale regulations in Kerala.