Kerala, India, October 12, 2026 — Three people were killed after a Mini Cooper allegedly driven at high speed by an intoxicated driver rammed into a scooter near Cochin International Airport early Sunday morning, police said.
The deceased have been identified as 21-year-old Devika from Wayanad, 22-year-old Gopika from Palakkad, and 21-year-old Ijaz from Karnataka. All three worked at a handicraft shop and were travelling on the same scooter.
The 19-year-old car driver, Suhail Sajeev, was detained by eyewitnesses and handed over to police. According to K. S. Sudarshan, Superintendent of Police of Ernakulam Rural, preliminary investigations indicate that the accused had consumed alcohol.
Police have collected blood and urine samples to confirm whether he was under the influence of alcohol. Tests will also be conducted to determine whether he had consumed drugs. A case of culpable homicide has been registered against him.
The accident occurred at around 1:45 a.m. on a road leading towards Cochin International Airport near Nedumbassery. The car, reportedly travelling at excessive speed, struck the scooter from behind, throwing all three occupants onto the road. They were taken to a nearby hospital, where all three died.
