At least five people died in a road accident early Saturday on East Coast Road near Keelakarai. Four victims were from Andhra Pradesh, and one was a DMK functionary from Tamil Nadu. The accident happened when a speeding car rammed into a stationary vehicle parked outside a hotel around 3 a.m. The DMK functionary, Mushtaq Ahmed (30) from Keelakarai, was traveling with six friends from Yerwadi towards Keelakarai. In the crash, four occupants of the parked vehicle died on the spot. A fifth person, Ramar (45), from Andhra Pradesh, died later in the hospital. Seven others hurt in both vehicles were taken to hospitals, with Ashrath Ali (28) of Keelakarai referred to a Madurai hospital for further treatment. Police confirmed the car belonged to the DMK functionary, driven by his driver. The dead have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed, Ramachandra Rao (55), Apparao Naidu (40), Bandana Chandra Rao (42), and Ramar (45). Keelakarai Police registered a case and continue their investigation.