Mahilamandiram Chiku dies in fatal Norristown car crash
Fatal Norristown car crash death of Mahilamandiram Chiku
A young man has been formally accused of causing a deadly traffic incident and driving while impaired, following an accident that claimed the life of a local father and left two minors and three adults with injuries. This occurred in Norristown on June 1, 2025.
The incident unfolded shortly after 10:30 a.m. at the busy intersection of Dekalb and Basin streets. Investigators reported that Mahilamandiram Chiku, a resident of Norristown, was attempting to cross Dekalb Pike in his silver Kia Soul, with his family members present in the vehicle. At that moment, a silver BMW driven by a 22-year-old individual exceeded the speed limit significantly and collided with them.
Officials detailed that the force of the impact propelled Chiku’s car a distance of 101 feet before it struck a pole. Emergency responders arrived promptly and managed to free Chiku from the wreckage, transporting him to a hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. His wife, Remya Karathattuparambu, and their two young children, aged 8 and 5 months, were also injured and taken to the hospital. Their specific conditions remain undisclosed.
The driver of the BMW, identified as Allan Tariq Cole, along with two passengers, received medical attention for injuries sustained in the collision. Toxicology tests revealed that Cole was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.
Cole was taken into custody on June 26 and faces serious charges, including vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. Due to the high bail amount of $99,000, he is currently being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 8, 2025.
