Residents intercepted a rented car after it rammed multiple vehicles across Keralam's Kottayam. The episode has renewed concerns about reckless driving by young motorists in Kerala.Despite the car's front tyres bursting, it continued moving, sending sparks flying as the damaged tyres scraped against the road.

Kottayam,Nov 4, 2026 15:44 ISTAn 18-year-old man was arrested after he drove a rented SUV at high speed for nearly eight kilometres in Keralam's Kottayam district on Tuesday evening, ramming more than a dozen vehicles even after one of its front tyres burst.Residents chased and intercepted the Toyota Innova before alerting the police. The driver has been identified as Gokul.The incident comes amid widespread outrage over a spate of recent fatal accidents involving teenagers, including cases in which a minor allegedly drove a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and another involving a minor crashing a car while allegedly intoxicated.Police told news agency PTI that Gokul had hired the car from Thiruvalla and was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotic drugs, though this was yet to be confirmed.

The car was heading towards Changanassery when it first hit a scooter ridden by 21-year-old Nanditha at Mundukotta in Paippad. She was returning home after work at a private hospital in Thiruvalla.Nanditha suffered serious injuries to her hands and legs and was admitted to a private hospital in Thiruvalla.

The driver allegedly did not stop and continued speeding through Thrikodithanam towards Thengana. At Kannottu, the car rammed six more vehicles, police said.By then, one of the car's front tyres had burst.

The vehicle, however, continued moving, with sparks flying as the damaged tyre scraped against the road. More than a dozen vehicles were reportedly damaged in the series of collisions.Residents eventually stopped the car and informed Thrikodithanam police, who reached the spot and took Gokul into custody.

The incident also caused major traffic congestion in the area for a considerable time.The episode comes amid concerns over a series of reckless driving incidents involving young motorists in Kerala. Recent cases include a crash involving a minor in Cheranalloor and another involving a 19-year-old man in Nedumbassery, where a Mercedes-Benz and a Mini Cooper were reportedly involved.In the latest incident, police arrested the 18-year-old after the rented car allegedly travelled nearly eight kilometres, hit more than a dozen vehicles and continued moving despite a burst tyre.- Ends