Instances of minors driving cars and causing accidents with them are becoming increasingly common in India. It was only last week that we saw a Maruti Swift driven by a minor, knocking down a three-year-old girl in Ahmedabad. The child, however, had a miraculous escape. In a more recent development, a 16-year-old boy created havoc on Kerala roads, hitting multiple vehicles with his Innova Crysta and spreading fear. The vehicle has been seized, and a case has been registered against the teen’s dad for being irresponsible with the car.
This incident happened in Kerala’s Kochi on Saturday morning (November 1, 2025). Recordings from nearby CCTV cameras served as evidence for the teen’s reckless driving. The Innova Crysta belongs to the teenager’s father, a resident of Kaloor. The boy, a 10th standard student, had sneaked it out for an outing with his friends. According to reports, they went to the Cherai beach in the morning. This is a popular tourist destination, not very far from the area where these crashes occurred.
On their way back, the Innova Crysta reportedly hit a Honda City near Chathanad, on the Cherai–Njarakkal road. The teen driver panicked. He probably knew that things could get really complicated if a person without a valid driver’s license were caught causing accidents. He tried to flee.
The boy’s shock and panic would cause more crashes and even get someone injured in the next couple of kilometers. Two of his friends were with him, reported to be a girl and a boy. Their fear may have pressured him further. On its escape run, the Innova hit a bus and a motorcycle. The reckless driving caused fear and panic among locals and motorists.
CCTV footage from around show how chaotic the drive was and just how panicked and unsettled the teen was. The Innova even hit an elderly woman in Edavanakkad. Critically injured, the 76-year-old is now undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital.
Locals soon informed the police, who then tried to stop it near the Njarakkal police station. The teen, however, dodged them much like we see in movies. Determined to put an end to the havoc, the cops chased him for the next few kilometers. At around 9:30 in the morning, they managed to intercept it near the Goshree bridge and took the teen driver into custody.
CCTV footage shows just how scary the entire episode was. In some of them, we see the Innova making a sudden U-turn on a narrow, crowded road. At least two motorcycles narrowly escape being hit. Other clips also show it overspeeding, putting lives at risk. In a way, this incident shows how self-centred this teen driver was. He risked a lot of lives just to avoid getting into trouble himself.
It would be unjust for anyone to downplay this act by saying ‘ the teen was too panicky, and that caused the havoc’. Teenagers and anyone without a valid driver’s license shouldn’t be allowed to drive on public roads. Period!
Image Source: News4media
The video racked up views and sparked massive outrage among netizens. Kerala is a state where the authorities are extremely intolerant to underage driving and road safety-related violations and crimes. Strict action was soon initiated against the teen and his parents.
A case has been registered against Abdul Rasheed, the teen’s father, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act, for allowing the minor to drive the car. He will have to bear the hospital expenses of the injured woman and issue compensation as well.
The Innova is still in police custody while its juvenile driver is known to have been released. The Motor Vehicle Department has also announced strict actions- the vehicle will have its registration suspended for a year, and the teen will not be allowed to have his driver’s licence until the age of 25.