The Anambra State Police Command has called on commuters in the state to apply caution while driving following the sharp increase in the number of road fatalities in the state.
So far, five persons have been confirmed dead following accidents that took place at various locations in the state.
Three persons were on Monday killed following an auto crash along Enugu/Onitsha expressway which involved a Toyota pickup van with Reg. NSR 428 AU, with five persons injured.
It was learnt that the accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle who was heading to Upper Iweka area in Onitsha from Aguleri lost control of the break and somersaulted along the expressway at Vin filling station.
An eyewitness said that police patrol team from Awada Police Station, who rushed to the scene, took the victims to Borommeo Hospital where the three persons were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while other five victims who sustained various degrees of injuries were responding to treatment.
Similarly, a Mercedes tipper with Reg No. FGG 405-XV driven by one Onyeka Asogwa was on Monday involved in an accident along Nibo Road, by Government Lodge with a Toyota Camry car and a tricycle (keke) killing one Amaka Precious.
According to an eye witness report, the truck driver encountered a break failure and collided with three tricycles and one Toyota Camry car with Reg No. KPP 262 AA.
It took the timely intervention of the police patrol team attached to the Central Police Station, (CPS) Awka, to avert more casualties as four injured persons were immediately rushed to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital Amaka for medical attention even as Amaka Precious was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.
The state police spokesman, Mohammed Haruna, who confirmed the incident, said that the driver of the truck has been arrested while the vehicle has been towed by the VIO for inspection.
Also, a Caterpillar truck without registration number belonging to New Idea Construction Company has killed a 25years old Joe Ifemema, who was riding an unregistered motorcycle.
The accident was said to have occurred while the Caterpillar driver was trying to avoid a pot hole.
Though the motorcycle rider sustained serious injuries as a result of the accident, he was alive when he was brought to Ideal hospital in Ifutedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area but subsequently died while receiving treatment.
The Anambra State Command in a statement signed by the state PPRO urged the public to always drive with caution, especially as the “ember” months are fast approaching.