What Happened in Kerala: A Man Dies After Car Hits Autorickshaw?

Synopsis
In a devastating incident in Thiruvananthapuram, a man lost his life when a speeding car collided with his autorickshaw. As the community comes together to help, police suspect reckless driving played a significant role in this tragedy. Read on for more details about this heartbreaking event and its implications for road safety.
Key Takeaways
- Drunk driving and overspeeding are major contributors to road accidents.
- Local communities often play a crucial role in assisting victims.
- The Kerala Police are actively working to improve road safety awareness.
- Statistics show a concerning trend in road fatalities and injuries.
- Continuous efforts are required to reduce road accidents effectively.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (NationPress) A tragic road incident occurred in the commercial area of Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, claiming the life of one individual and injuring four others during the early hours of Sunday.
The accident involved a speeding car that collided with an autorickshaw and a motorcycle.
The victim has been identified as Sivakumar, known locally as Suni, a concrete worker hailing from Mangattukadavu, Thirumala, in the capital city. He was behind the wheel of the autorickshaw at the time of the incident and tragically perished when his vehicle caught fire, leaving it completely gutted in flames.
Police reports indicate the collision took place around 3:30 a.m. Four individuals were injured in the crash and are receiving treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.
Among the injured were a male and female rider on the motorcycle; the female, as a pillion rider, reportedly sustained burns from the fire.
Local residents were the first to arrive at the scene, offering assistance to those affected.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the car, allegedly operated by a 19-year-old, was transporting four or five passengers who appeared to be intoxicated.
The police suspect that drunk driving and overspeeding were the main factors contributing to the accident. Liquor bottles were discovered in the vehicle, reinforcing this belief.
The Medical College police have initiated a case and launched an investigation.
As per Kerala Police statistics, by February 2025, there had been 638 fatalities and 9,703 injuries from 8,464 road accidents statewide.
In 2024, the state recorded 3,774 deaths and 54,743 injuries from 48,919 accidents.
To combat reckless and drunk driving, the Kerala Police have ramped up awareness campaigns across every district. A senior traffic officer noted that while there has been a minor decline in road accidents recently, ongoing efforts are critical for further reductions.