Two die after speeding miraa lorry hits car at Nithi bridge

The wreckage of the car that was hit by a speeding miraa lorry at the notorious Nithi bridge in Tharaka Nithi County on April 30, 2019. The driver of the car and his passenger died on the spot. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The driver of the lorry escaped unhurt although the vehicle rolled and landed in a ditch.
  • The OCPD said the driver of the lorry fled the scene, fearing attack by locals, and that police are looking for him.
  • The two bodies were taken to Chuka County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Two people have died in a grisly road crash at the notorious Nithi bridge along the Meru-Nairobi highway in Tharaka-Nithi County.

Confirming the Tuesday evening incident, Maara OCPD Johnston Kabusia said a speeding lorry that was transporting miraa from Maua town in Meru County collided with a saloon car that was coming from Chuka town direction, killing the two on the spot.

"The two who have perished are the driver of the saloon car and his passenger,” said Mr Kabusia.

He said the driver of the lorry escaped unhurt although the vehicle rolled and landed in a ditch.

LORRY DRIVER ESCAPES

The OCPD said the driver of the lorry fled the scene, fearing attack by locals, and that police are looking for him.

Mr Kabusia condemned the reckless behaviour of drivers of vehicles ferrying miraa whom he said do not adhere to traffic rules.

"Drivers of vehicles that ferry miraa speed even at dangerous spots like Nithi despite a warning signboard urging them to go slowly," he said.

People who witnessed the 10pm collision said the driver of the lorry rammed into the saloon car while it was on its lane.

Mr Jacob Mutembei, a bodaboda rider, said he was coming from the nearby Mitheru market when the crash happened.

SPEEDING

"The lorry was speeding as usual when the driver lost control and rammed into the saloon car reducing it into a wreckage," said Mr Mutembei.

Nicholas Kimathi, another bodaboda rider, said drivers of the vehicles that transport miraa do not respect other road users.

Mr Kimathi said that street lights should be installed along the dangerous corner to ensure that drivers are able to see oncoming vehicles from a distance.

"This place is a black spot and very many people have perished here but the government does not take any action to address the matter," said Mr Kimathi.

The two bodies were taken to Chuka County Referral Hospital mortuary.