A tragic accident occurred on Friday morning at Opa Junction/Olokuta Village, near a private polytechnic along Ondo Road in Akure, as a speeding truck crushed a well-known furniture trader, popularly called “Daddy Ese,” to death.
According to eyewitnesses, the truck, moving at high speed, rammed into a commercial motorcycle (okada) carrying the victim. The impact was fatal for the trader, while the motorcycle rider miraculously escaped unhurt.
Rather than stopping to assist, the truck driver attempted to flee the scene. However, swift intervention by other road users and military personnel led to his arrest after a hot pursuit.
The heartbreaking incident left the victim’s wife in deep sorrow, as she was seen weeping uncontrollably at the accident scene.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Chairman of the Okada Riders Association at Adebowale Junction, Akure, Mr. Monday Desmond, appealed to the government to expand the road, noting that its narrowness had contributed to several fatal accidents.
Similarly, the Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, cautioned motorists against reckless driving, particularly on narrow roads. He warned that violators of traffic regulations would face strict legal consequences.
The incident comes as the Federal Government recently approved and commenced the dualization of the Akure-Ondo-Ore highway to reduce accidents and prevent further loss of lives.
(Prompt news)