KOTTAYAM: A car was seen speeding along a busy road in Keralam’s Kottayam, with sparks flying from beneath it as other motorists swerved to get out of its way, of an alleged nine-km rampage that ended with police taking an 18-year-old driver into custody.The incident took place around 6pm on Tuesday, when the car allegedly rammed several vehicles while travelling from Payippad to Thengana. Police identified the driver as Gokul Vinu, a native of Thiruvalla.According to police, the car first hit a vehicle at Chanjodi. At Asharimukku, it allegedly knocked down a woman riding a scooter and drove over the two-wheeler, damaging it. The woman was flung to the roadside and escaped being trapped beneath the car.The car also brushed against pedestrians at Asharimukku before hitting another vehicle at Poovathumoodu. One of its tyres burst in the collision, but the driver continued along Vazhoor Road on the damaged wheel, with sparks flying as the car moved ahead.Motorists chased the vehicle and managed to block it near Thengana junction. It had slowed down after the wheel plate wore down as it approached a downslope at Kannavatta.Angry residents tried to confront the driver, and police said they faced difficulty taking Vinu to Changanassery police station. They suspect he was under the influence of an intoxicant. He was sent for a medical examination.Several people injured in the incident reportedly sought treatment at nearby private hospitals.