The Mattakkuliya accident that killed 3: The driver's story that 'BYD auto raced' and his confession of smoking ganja (video)

The 52-year-old businessman driver, arrested in connection with the incident where 7 vehicles, including trishaws and motorcycles, collided near Ferguson Junction, Mattakkuliya, killing three people and seriously injuring more than 10 others, has been remanded until the 30th after being produced before the Aluthkade Magistrate's Court. E.A.P., a resident of Grandpass, died in this fatal accident.

Patrick (64), K.A.S. Jayantha (64) of Mattakkuliya, and S. Chandrasekaran (44) of Sri Vikramapura died, while a group including three injured women are receiving treatment at the National Hospital Colombo's accident and emergency unit.

The suspect driver told the police that while driving his modern BYD electric car on the road about 400 meters from his home to pick up his child from an extra class, the car suddenly and automatically accelerated at high speed, losing control. This vehicle, traveling at high speed near the narrow and crowded Ferguson Junction, collided with a motorcycle and a trishaw, dragging them forward, then collided with another trishaw and a motorcycle, finally stopping about 200 meters from the accident site. Over a thousand people had gathered at the time of the accident, which was recorded by CCTV cameras installed on both sides of the road. The Mattakkuliya police quickly intervened, arresting the suspect and controlling the situation before any damage could be done to the suspect or the vehicle by the agitated crowd.

The police informed the court that the forensic medical examination conducted in connection with the incident confirmed that the suspect driver had consumed cannabis. However, the defense lawyers challenged this, stating that their client had never used alcohol or drugs. The lawyers argued that the medical report might have indicated this due to Ayurvedic medicines he takes for asthma and diabetes, and they re-emphasized that a technical fault in the electric car was the cause of the accident. The police opposed granting bail, stating that releasing the suspect on bail could lead to public unrest.

The police are taking steps to file charges against the arrested suspect under the Penal Code and the Motor Traffic Act, including murder charges, failure to prevent an accident, dangerous and reckless driving, and more than 05 other charges. A court order has been obtained to conduct an expert committee investigation, chaired by the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic and with the participation of electrical engineering specialists from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, to determine if there was any mechanical or technical fault in the vehicle.

Additionally, a government analyst's report is to be called for, the suspect's blood samples are to be re-submitted for medical examination, and an assessment of the suspect's mental state is to be obtained through a special medical board. Further investigations are being carried out under the direction of Mattakkuliya Police Station OIC Chief Police Inspector Ajantha Pushpakumara, acting on the instructions of Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Colombo Division Nishantha Soysa, Senior Superintendent of Police Eric Perera, and the Director of Traffic Colombo.

Watch the video related to this incident ›