Three members of a family, including a six-year-old girl, were killed and three others were seriously injured when the SUV they were travelling in crashed into the rear of a lorry near Vikravandi in Villupuram district early on Sunday (October 18, 2026).
The deceased were identified as A. Thangabai, 60, her son, John Britto, 33, an employee of an IT company, and her granddaughter, Evangeline, 6, all hailing from Selaiyur in Chennai.
The accident occurred around 12.45 a.m. near V. Salai when the family was returning to Chennai in an SUV after visiting relatives in Thoothukudi. Thangabai’s son-in-law, Rajkumar, 31, was driving the vehicle.
According to the police, the lorry travelling in front allegedly braked suddenly, causing the SUV to crash into its rear. All six occupants of the car sustained serious injuries.
A police team rushed to the spot and, with the help of Fire and Rescue Services personnel, extricated the injured from the vehicle. They were shifted to the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital at Mundiyambakkam.
While Thangabai, John Britto and Evangeline died during treatment, Rajkumar, his wife Latha Christy, 30, and their elder daughter, Jessihena, 10, are undergoing treatment. A case has been registered.
Published - October 18, 2026 11:47 am IST