Hit-and-run driver kills pedestrian in Anambra

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A hit-and-run tipper driver has crushed a male pedestrian to death along the Onitsha-Awka Expressway, Anambra State.

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The driver, said to be driving in “one way”, fatally struck the male pedestrian and fled the scene with the vehicle immediately the incident happened.

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Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Managing Director, Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, Emeka Konti-Okonkwo, said the vehicle was eventually tracked and intercepted at Upper Iweka in Onitsha by operatives of the agency.

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Konti-Okonkwo regretted that the deceased lost his life over the driver’s recklessness, adding that the vehicle was impounded by the agency while the matter had been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He said the report confirmed dangers associated with ‘one-way’ driving and urgent need for stricter traffic regulations enforcement across the state.

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He said, “The incident, coming few days after the agency launched the ‘See It, Video It and Earn’ initiative, occurred on July 25 when the driver of a tipper, while driving against traffic, allegedly knocked down the deceased.

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“A father, a brother and a promising young man, lost his life because a motorist chose to violate traffic regulations instead of driving a short distance to make a lawful turn.

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“The suspect fled the scene immediately after the incident, but the vehicle was eventually tracked and intercepted at Upper Iweka in Onitsha by operatives of the agency.

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“The vehicle was impounded by the agency while the matter had been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

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Identifying ‘one-way’ driving as one of the leading causes of avoidable road crashes in the state, Konti-Okonkwo regretted that some motorists, especially heavy duty vehicles still engaged in such dangerous practice despite sustained awareness campaigns, repeated warnings and continuous enforcement efforts.

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He further decried frequent insults, intimidation and blackmail his officers are often subjected to, while enforcing the law, especially when they refuse to yield to pressure from influential individuals seeking leniency for offenders.

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“The latest tragedy has reinforced the Agency’s determination to sustain the campaign against one-way driving until the menace is completely eradicated from roads across the state,” he added.

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Recall that on July 7, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed the death of a police inspector, Dr Ikechukwu Obodo, who was killed in a fatal hit-and-run motor-pedestrian accident within the state.

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The deceased was attached to the Operations Department at the State Police Command Headquarters at the time of the incident.https://punchng.com/hit-and-run-enugu-driver-kills-phd-holding-police-inspector/

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