Zambia: A road traffic accident in the Meanwood Junction of Lusaka has claimed the life of a Police Constable while another is battling for his life. The deceased was stationed with the Kenneth Kaunda Airport Division in Lusaka.
The police constable has been identified as Raphael Mupatayi. The 28-year-old was said to have been riding a Kawasaki motorbike along Airport Road when the incident happened. Another Constable, who has been identified as John Mulenga, was riding as a Pillion.
He has also sustained serious injuries in the accident and was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention. The 29-year-old police officer is also stationed with the Airport Division.
The vehicle that hit the two police officers has been identified as a Mercedez Benz. The suspect has been identified as Dorothy Mulenga Kumwenda. The 56-year-old was a resident of Meanwood Ndeke Phase One.
The crash happened at Meanwood Junction around 07:30 hours in the early hours of Monday.
Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga shared several details about the incident with the media. According to the Police report, Mupatayi was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital after the incident.
Meanwhile, constable John Mulenga is currently receiving treatment at the University Teaching Hospital. The preliminary investigations into the incident have started, Meanwhile, the officials have suggested that the driver of the Mercedes Benz Kumwenda failed to yield the right of way to the motorbike.
This caused the collision to happen as the suspect was not following the traffic stipulated rules. The vehicle had a lawful right to passage on the road being the vehicle of an emergency service
He says a case docket has been opened and thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are currently underway. The police officials have urged the people to follow the designated traffic laws which could prevent such incidents in the future.
The authorities have observed an ever-increasing number of traffic accidents in various parts of the country. The situation makes it critical to take corrective measures and make road users aware of the rules of traffic.