An elderly couple from Theni district were killed when the car in which they were travelling rammed a roadside tree on Madurai-Theni highway in Usilampatti in the small hours of Wednesday. Five others of the family were injured in the accident.
The police identified the deceased as K. Mariappan, 63, of Kadamalaikundu and his wife Maya Krishnammal, 59.
Mariappan’s family were returning home in Theni district after visiting their daughter’s house near Rajapalayam.
Mariappan’s son, Ashok Kumar was behind the wheel. Police said that Ashok Kumar might have dozed off while driving and the vehicle swerved to the right and dashed a roadside tamarind tree at around 1 a.m.
The elderly couple sustained bleeding injuries and died on the spot.
