A fatal road crash along the Mutukula–Kyotera road has claimed the life of a police officer and left three others injured after a trailer rammed into a stationary police vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 4:00 a.m. at Kasanvu when a Mercedes Benz trailer, registration numbers T824 DXF/T529 EFJ, crashed into a Toyota Land Cruiser police vehicle, registration number UP 2914, which had been parked at a checkpoint with officers on board.
Eyewitnesses and preliminary police findings indicate that the trailer, which was speeding in the same direction, lost control before slamming into the stationary police vehicle, eventually resting on top of it.
“The driver of the police vehicle died instantly, while three other officers sustained injuries,” said SP Michael Kananura, the Public Relations Officer of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety.
In a shocking revelation, police said the trailer was being driven by a turn-man, while the actual driver was reportedly resting at the time of the crash.
The turn-man has since been arrested, while the main driver fled the scene and is currently on the run. Efforts to trace and apprehend him are underway.
Kananura strongly condemned the reckless practice of allowing untrained turn-men to operate heavy trucks.
“We strongly urge all road users, particularly truck drivers, to adhere to speed limits at all times, not just in the presence of law enforcement. Extra caution must be exercised during night hours when visibility is reduced. More importantly, this habit of training turn-men on the job must stop immediately. Allowing unqualified individuals to operate heavy trucks endangers both their lives and those of other road users,” he emphasized.
Police extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer and wished a quick recovery to the injured officers.
