A tragic incident unfolded at Igbariam junction along the Onitsha-Nteke-Awka expressway, resulting in the loss of life of a male passenger following a collision between two vehicles.

Adeoye Irelewuyi, the FRSC sector commander in the state, affirmed the occurrence of the accident in Awka on Monday, disclosing that it took place on Sunday.

Irelewuyi said the crash could be attributed to speeding and loss of control.

“The fatal crash involved a broken down commercial Benz truck, with registration number UKP381ZU and a green-coloured Sienna car, with registration number KRD429AG.

“Eyewitness reports indicate that the driver of the Sienna was approaching at speed. Unknown to him that the truck had broken down, he tried to control the motion but to no avail. He, however, crashed into the truck.

“The Sienna had 10 passengers: seven male adults and three female adults. A male adult was injured, while another male adult was killed in the crash.

“Before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team, sympathisers had taken the injured victim to Toronto Hospital, Onitsha, while the body of the dead was taken to the mortuary at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku,” he said.

While condoling with the family of the dead, the sector commander warned drivers of articulated vehicles to endeavour to place caution triangles and reflective tape to indicate signs of cautionary alert to other moving vehicles.

“Motorists should also desist from carrying overload, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and maintain a safe speed limit to prevent road accidents,” Mr Irelewuyi.