By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk
OWERRI, Nigeria — A 19-year-old student has died after he was struck by a Lexus ES 350 near the main gate of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, prompting the Imo State Police Command to launch a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The victim, identified as Chibuike Friday, a student from Ebonyi State, was hit at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday while attempting to cross the road. Another pedestrian, Bright Ukwuoma, sustained injuries in the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The vehicle was reportedly driven by 30-year-old Dike Michael, who was taken into police custody after the crash. Officers from the Orji Police Division rescued the suspect from an angry mob that had gathered at the scene before taking him into custody for further investigation.
The incident has triggered widespread public reactions after a video of the crash went viral on social media, with conflicting accounts emerging over what transpired moments before the collision.
While some eyewitnesses alleged that the driver was involved in a dangerous high-speed race, others on social media claimed the deceased may have attempted to dash across the road after an alleged wager with friends. These claims have not been independently verified, and the Imo State Police Command has not confirmed either account as investigations continue.
Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, condemned the incident and warned against reckless driving and other dangerous conduct on public roads, describing such behaviour as life-endangering and unacceptable.
“No one has the right to turn public roads into a deadly race track,” the Commissioner said, assuring residents that the command would carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.”
The body of the deceased has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy, while the injured victim continues to receive treatment.
The Police Command urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, avoid excessive speeding and other forms of reckless driving, stressing that investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The fatal crash has continued to generate intense public debate, with many Nigerians calling for a transparent and impartial investigation to determine whether the incident resulted from reckless driving, pedestrian error, or a combination of factors.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public to allow the investigation to run its course and refrain from drawing premature conclusions.
