The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Chibuike Michael, over his alleged involvement in a fatal road accident that claimed the life of a teenager and left another person injured near the main gate of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening along the IMSU front gate, where the suspect, who hails from Ejemekwuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, was allegedly driving a Lexus ES 350 at high speed.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was allegedly engaged in an unauthorised street race when he struck Chibuike Friday, a 19-year-old from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who was attempting to cross the road.
The impact reportedly caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which also hit Bright Ukwuoma, leaving him with varying degrees of injuries.
Police operatives from the Orji Division responded promptly to a distress call, arrested the suspect and rescued him from an angry mob before conveying both victims to the hospital.
Chibuike Friday was confirmed dead by medical personnel, while Bright Ukwuoma is receiving treatment. The deceased’s body has been deposited in a morgue pending an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, condemned the alleged reckless driving that led to the loss of life and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased while wishing the injured victim a speedy recovery.
The Police Commissioner directed the State Traffic Department to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the crash and assured the public that the suspect would be prosecuted if found culpable.
He also warned motorists against excessive speeding, reckless driving and other traffic violations, urging all road users to obey traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property across Imo State.
