A passenger vehicle driver was arrested following a crash in Yirol West County of Lakes State that left one dead and five injured, authorities said Thursday.
The accident occurred Wednesday in Aerial-teen when the vehicle, traveling from Juba to Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, blew a tire, causing passengers to jump from the moving vehicle, according to Lakes State traffic police.
Moses Machuoc Bol, a traffic investigation officer, told Radio Tamazuj that five passengers leaped from the vehicle after the tire burst. One died, while the others sustained injuries and were taken to Mapuordit Hospital. The driver is in police custody.
“The injuries were minor, except for one critically injured person who was referred to Juba for treatment,” Bol said. “The driver was speeding, which led to the tire failure. Had they driven slower, this could have been avoided.”
Bol blamed reckless driving and disregard for traffic regulations, citing drivers’ drug use as a contributing factor.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) also confirmed the crash. Coordinator Daniel Laat Kon urged better road maintenance and caution among drivers and passengers.
“Roads are riddled with potholes, and speeding endangers lives,” Kon said. “Passengers must also speak up if a driver is reckless.”
He extended condolences to the victim’s family and wished the injured a swift recovery.