By Hou Akot Hou
Traffic police in Nyamlel have detained two truck drivers following a fatal head-on collision on Monday. The accident claimed the life of a 35-year-old man.
The drivers involved were identified as Daniel Khon Mawien, operating a heavy lorry, and Makuei Dut Ngor, driving a pickup truck.
Moses Deng Deng, traffic police officer in Aweil West County, told No. 1 Citizen Newspaper on Tuesday Moring that the incident occurred along the Gok-Machar and Nyamlel highway. The heavy truck was en route to Wau from Gok-Machar in Aweil West County when the crash happened.
According to the traffic officer, the deceased was identified as Deng Wek Bak, 35. He was reportedly sitting in the back of the pickup truck at the time of the collision and died instantly when the two vehicles impacted.
“There were people sitting behind the pickup during the accident scene. Unfortunately, the pickup was loaded with some metals, and passengers sat on top of them,” Deng narrated. “When the two vehicles collided, the deceased was struck in the throat, resulting in excessive bleeding, and he died in the process while the rest of the other passengers were thrown off the road into the bush.”
Deng stated that both drivers are currently detained in Nyamlel as investigations into the cause of the accident are underway. Once the process is complete, whoever is found responsible will be referred to court for prosecution.
The Traffic Officer attributed the incident to irresponsible road use, including drivers exceeding speed limits without observing road signs or rules, and a lack of proper safety measures for passengers.
He appealed to all road users to always slowdown in dangerous areas and to follow traffic rules, such as using light signals to communicate with other drivers.
“Sometimes drivers like to drink and drive, and this contributes to accidents along the roads and deaths,” he noted. “It’s good not to drink and drive whenever using the vehicle, but again, when sober on the road, try also to follow the road signs, and drivers should regularly service their vehicles.”