The tragic accident that claimed Okechukwu’s life occurred at a particularly painful moment as he had just placed his late mother’s body at the mortuary, preparing for her funeral. The incident occurred when he collided with an abandoned articulated lorry, causing it to overturn into a nearby ditch.
A relative of the deceased shared a heartbreaking account of the tragedy, noting that Okechukwu had just started a family with his wife, whom he married early this year, and that they had just welcomed a new baby.
The news of his sudden demise has plunged his family and friends into deep dismay. Witnesses have strongly criticised the presence of the immobilised lorry, left in a dangerous position on the road, describing it as a major hazard to motorists. This situation raises concerns about the role of traffic authorities, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in dealing with abandoned vehicles.
Joyce Alexander, the Anambra State Commander of the FRSC, expressed her condolences to Okechukwu’s family and gave an update on the situation. She explained that the truck could not be towed away immediately due to its heavy load, and that reflective tapes had been placed around the area to alert traffic.
“I understand that it collided with a broken down stationary truck. Unfortunately, it happened at night and the FRSC rescue team that responded could not ascertain what had happened due to lack of eyewitnesses.
“There was no tyre burst as no tyre burst was observed. The only plausible explanation is excessive speed which probably led to loss of control,” the FRSC chieftain explained.
Initial investigations suggest that excessive speed may have contributed to the accident, as skid marks indicated a struggle to regain control before the vehicle overturned.
This tragedy highlights the need for better management of abandoned vehicles on the roads, to prevent future accidents and protect the lives of road users. Ensuring justice for Okechukwu and his family remains a priority, while hoping that steps will be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.