Juba police investigate yesterday’s terrific accident as one officer dies

JUBA – Juba police have launched investigation against the driver of a police Landcruiser that was involved in a terrific accident while trying to dodge a motorbike in one of the streets of the country’s capital on Tuesday, according to police spokesman Major-General Daniel Justin.

Yesterday, an overloaded police vehicle overturned at Jebel-Custom road while trying to dodge a motorbike, badly wounding six of those inside and the motorbike’s driver as well.

The accident sparked controversy over the traffic police’s respect for the rules they enforce themselves.

Speaking to Sudans Post this evening General Justin said one of the six wounded police officers passed on this afternoon from injuries, but refused to identify the deceased because some of the officer’s relatives have not yet heard about his demise.

“All the officers are in a critical, but stable, condition. Some of them have been released, but unfortunate one of our colleagues involved in the yesterday’s unfortunate accident has passed away,” Justine said.

Justin further expressed regret over the accident, saying the driver shouldn’t have violated the traffic rules himself, including that requires a land cruiser to transport not more than seven people.

“This accident is regrettable,” he said. “The driver shouldn’t have taken more people that required by the law because we all know how many seats are there in a Landcruiser. Of course they are only seven. Taking 30 is a violation of traffic rules.”

The senior police officer further revealed to Sudans Post that an investigation has been launched against the driver, but denied reports that he has been arrested.

“He has not been arrested, but he is being investigated and he will answer for what happened yesterday which has led to the lost of one of his most close colleagues at work and the wounding of the other five and the motorbike’s driver himself,” he said.