Kapu, August 23, 2025 – A tragic car accident in the early hours of Saturday, August 23, 2025, near Kapu resulted in the death of Mervin Mendonca, a 35-year-old celebrated DJ, cinematographer, and newlywed from Belman. Three other passengers, identified as Prajwal from Ambalpady, Prasad from Karkala, and Vignesh, were seriously injured in the incident.

The group was traveling from Ambalpady to Belman in a car when a dog reportedly crossed their path on National Highway 66 near Muloor, close to Halli Mane Hotel. The driver, Prajwal, swerved to avoid hitting the animal, causing the vehicle to lose control and overturn. The car was completely wrecked, and Mervin succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The injured were rushed to a private hospital in Udupi by Uchila and Muloor SDPI ambulances, with two of them reported to be in critical condition. Ambulance drivers K.M. Siraj, Hameed, and social worker Jamaluddin Uchila assisted in the rescue efforts.

Kapu police visited the site and initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. A case is likely to be registered to probe potential factors such as road conditions or speeding. Mervin, a well-known figure in Udupi and Mangaluru, had released a new Konkani music video on YouTube for APD Music just a day earlier, which he had personally directed and filmed. He was also recognized for his cinematography work in several Konkani and Tulu film projects, showcasing his creative talent.