A heartbreaking incident unfolded on Sunday night along the Awka axis of the Awka-Enugu Expressway in Anambra State, where a lawyer identified only as Okechukwu lost his life in a tragic road crash.
This devastating turn of events came just after he had deposited his late mother’s body at the morgue.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Okechukwu’s vehicle collided with an abandoned stationary articulated truck, causing it to somersault into a nearby drainage ditch.
A relative of the victim shared the unfortunate details, stating, “The incident happened along the expressway. The deceased thought the truck was moving, but when he realized it wasn’t, it was too late; he hit it, and his car veered into the gutter.”
The kinsman emphasized the profound sorrow felt by the family, “He had recently welcomed a newborn with his wife, whom he married in February this year. His sudden demise has left his loved ones in shock. He had just put his late mother in the mortuary and was preparing for the funeral. Now he’s joined her in the mortuary. This incident serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictable nature and the importance of cherishing every moment.”
Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of abandoned vehicles on the roads, with the relative highlighting the avoidable nature of the tragedy.
“This was an avoidable death caused by allowing abandoned vehicles to stay on the road longer than necessary. The stationary vehicle was in a dangerous position on the road, thereby posing a serious danger to other road users,” the kinsman lamented.
Following the accident, Okechukwu’s remains were taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku, Awka.
Residents have criticized traffic officials, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), for allegedly neglecting to address the hazardous presence of the abandoned truck.
In response to the growing concerns, FRSC Anambra State Command Corps Commander, Joyce Alexander, expressed her condolences to Okechukwu’s family and noted that the truck could not be towed away due to the load it was carrying.
She stated, “I am aware that he ran into a broken-down stationary truck. Unfortunately, this happened at night, and the FRSC rescue team that went for the rescue operation could not ascertain from any eyewitness what really happened.”
Alexander elaborated on the investigation, mentioning, “It was obviously not a tyre burst, as no tyre burst was observed.
The only likely explanation is excessive speed, which might have led to loss of control. We arrived at this conclusion because of the skid marks and the apparent struggle with the steering before the vehicle eventually tumbled.”
Acknowledging the limitations of the FRSC, she added, “I would like to point out here that FRSC is not, and cannot be at every place. That’s why we solicit the collaboration and assistance of many groups and individuals, including the media. We rely on every member of society to alert us on crashes and obstructions.”
To mitigate future incidents, Alexander mentioned that she had directed her staff to cordon off the scene with reflective tape to warn oncoming traffic at night, pending the safe towing of the truck after it could be offloaded.
