Mini Cooper was travelling at 162kmph before Kochi crash, BMW report confirms

19-year-old, Suhail Sajeev prime accused in the Mini Cooper crash

KOCHI: Speeding by the Mini Cooper involved in the Nedumbassery accident that claimed the lives of three young men has been confirmed by BMW’s technical inspection report, according to the investigation team.The police team had earlier analysed CCTV footage from cameras installed at various locations along the vehicle’s route to the accident site. The footage showed that the car covered a distance of 500 metres in just 11 seconds. A report submitted to the investigation team by BMW India on Thursday provided further scientific backing for the finding. The report was prepared after analysing data retrieved from the vehicle’s advanced crash safety module (ACSM).According to the report, the car was travelling at 162kmph approximately five seconds before the accident. Its speed was 144kmph at the time of the collision. The crash data analysis also showed that the brake pedal was pressed only about one second before the accident.The confirmation of speeding detected through the scientific analysis of CCTV footage by the vehicle’s crash data is being treated as a crucial piece of evidence in the investigation.

The data recorded by the car’s technical systems has provided further scientific support for the team’s findings.The investigation is continuing into the circumstances of the accident, the vehicle’s speed, the driver’s actions immediately before the crash and the role of the other accused. The probe is being conducted under the supervision of district police chief K S Sudarshan and led by Aluva DSP Baiju Paulose.The accident occurred near Athani on Nedumbassery Airport Road when the car rammed a scooter, killing three people.Suhail Sajeev, who allegedly drove the car under the influence of alcohol, and three co-passengers, Ninav, Ameen Sha and Joyal S, all aged 19 years, are the accused in the case.

Police had also recovered an audio clip sent by Joyal, who had fled the scene immediately after the incident, to one of his friends. He can be heard in the audio clip saying that Suhail was heavily drunk and was driving at a very high speed when he knocked down the three youngsters.