Driver arrested after three killed in crash near Kochi airport

Police arrested 19-year-old Suhail after a Mini Cooper struck a scooter near Kochi airport, killing three people. Investigators are awaiting test results to assess the driver's condition.

The collision occurred around 1:45 a.m. on Sunday on the road near Nedumbassery. Police said the car hit the scooter from behind. Those killed were Devika and Iyas, both 21, and Gopika, 22.

The three worked at a craft shop in Thrikkakara and were returning from a tea shop near the airport, heading toward Athani, according to police.

Ernakulam Rural police chief K.S. Sudarshan said blood and urine samples were taken for forensic testing. Preliminary inquiries indicated possible intoxication, but the blood test results were still pending.

Police registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. They are also examining alleged earlier incidents of dangerous driving. A previous social media video displaying a high speed does not establish the car's speed at the time of the crash.