Driver in ‘car race’ kills 19-year-old boy in Imo

The Imo police command says a 19-year-old boy, identified as Chibuike Friday, was killed after a reckless driver rammed into him at the front gate of Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri, the state capital.

In a statement issued on Monday, Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson Imo, said the suspect was racing another vehicle when he struck Friday, who was crossing the road.

Okoye said the incident occurred on Sunday night when the suspect, Chibuike Dike, 30, from Ejemekwuru in Oguta LGA of Imo, allegedly lost control of his Lexus ES 350, with registration number KWU 766 AE, while driving at excessive speed.

“The driver was driving at an excessive speed and was said to have engaged in an unauthorised street racing activity with another driver at the IMSU front gate when he lost control of the steering and struck the boy to death,” the statement reads.

“He also hit some unsuspecting pedestrians walking along the road and inflicted various degrees of injuries on them.”

Okoye said officers of the Orji police division responded to a distress call, arrested the suspect and rescued him from an angry mob.

He added that those injured were taken to a hospital, where Friday was confirmed dead, while another victim, identified as Bright Ukwuoma, was receiving treatment.

The police spokesperson said the deceased’s body had been deposited in a morgue for preservation and autopsy.

He added that Audu Bosso, the commissioner of police in Imo, condemned the incident and directed the state traffic department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

He assured the public that the suspect would be prosecuted after the investigation, and warned motorists against excessive speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic violations.(TheCable)