A fatal road accident claimed the lives of four pedestrians along G.U. Ake Road in Rivers State during the early hours of Monday. The tragic incident, which occurred around midnight, involved a Toyota Camry sedan and six unsuspecting pedestrians.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, the accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle, identified as Benson Peter Michael, a 36-year-old male, lost control of his car. The vehicle, a Toyota Camry bearing registration number ABJ 10 EM, veered off its lane and ploughed into a group of pedestrians walking along the roadside.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the driver, Benson Peter Michael, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with six pedestrians,” the statement read. “Tragically, four of the victims were confirmed dead on the spot, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were quickly transported to the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMH) for urgent medical treatment.”
The driver was immediately apprehended by police officers responding to the scene. He is currently in police custody and assisting with ongoing investigations. The vehicle involved in the crash has also been recovered and is now at the police station as part of the investigation process.
As part of the post-crash response, the remains of the four deceased victims have been conveyed to the mortuary at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where they will undergo further examination and await identification by family members.
SP Iringe-Koko emphasized that the case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. She assured the public that justice will be pursued diligently.
“The Command deeply regrets the unfortunate incident and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served, and measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future,” she added.
The police have urged members of the public with any additional information regarding the incident to come forward, as they continue their investigation into what led to the fatal crash.
This incident highlights the continued need for road safety awareness, responsible driving practices, and improved pedestrian infrastructure to safeguard lives on Nigeria’s busy roads.