THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A man who had been undergoing treatment after a jeep hit his bike at Kilimanoor died early on Tuesday, days after his wife succumbed to injuries sustained in the same accident. Following his death, local residents blocked the MC Road with the body, demanding strict action against the jeep driver, who allegedly fled after the crash. The accident occurred on January 3.
The deceased is Rejith, a native of Kunnummel in Kilimanoor. His wife Ambika, who was travelling pillion, died on January 7. The jeep rammed the bike from behind. While attempting to flee the scene, the driver allegedly ran the vehicle over Ambika’s head before crashing into a roadside post. When the driver tried to escape, residents intervened and stopped the vehicle.
The jeep driver, Vishnu, a native of Vallakadavu, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Though he was caught by local residents and handed over to the police, he was later released on bail.
After Rejith’s death, protests intensified in the area. Residents alleged attempts to shield influential persons and claimed that two identity cards — including that of a police officer — were found inside the jeep.