Painter Dies After Drunk Driver Causes Collision Near Akkarai ECR Signal

A 50-year-old painter succumbed to his injuries at a hospital early on Monday morning after being struck in a road collision caused by a drunk driver near the East Coast Road (ECR) signal at Akkarai in Vettuvankeni. The deceased person has been identified by the authorities as Ezhumalai, a resident of Karpaga Vinayaka Nagar.

The incident occurred a day prior when Ezhumalai was engaged in work along the roadside, painting a political advertisement on a wall. According to details provided by the Adyar Traffic Investigation Wing (TIW) police, a car rammed into a stationary vehicle standing ahead of it, triggering a chain of impact that resulted in the crash.

Investigators identified the driver of the first vehicle as Kuraloviyan, aged 35, a resident of Besant Nagar. A police probe conducted into the incident revealed that Kuraloviyan was driving under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle slammed into the stationary car.

Upon impact from Kuraloviyan's car, the stationary second vehicle was mowed down towards Ezhumalai while he was working at the roadside wall. The collision left the painter with extensive and critical injuries across his body. Police reported that Ezhumalai suffered injuries to his head, his left hand, his left leg, and the left side of his waist.

Following the severe collision, Ezhumalai was taken to the Government Hospital at Perumbakkam for medical treatment. However, despite medical care, he succumbed to his injuries early on Monday morning, a day after the accident took place.

Law enforcement officers took official action following the victim's death. The Adyar Traffic Investigation Wing police registered a case in connection with the fatal road accident after receiving a formal complaint from Ezhumalai’s son, identified as Yogesh.

Based on the complaint lodged by Yogesh and the findings of their preliminary investigation, the Adyar Traffic Investigation Wing police arrested Kuraloviyan for causing the crash.