British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua is recovering in hospital after being involved in a serious road traffic accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Authorities have now indicated that the driver of his vehicle could face prosecution for reckless driving.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The shocking incident occurred earlier this week in Lagos, Nigeria. The Lexus SUV carrying Joshua collided with a stationary truck. Preliminary investigations by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency point to excessive speed as a primary cause.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, a spokesperson for the agency, stated: "From the preliminary investigation... definitely there was overspeeding on the part of the SUV Anthony Joshua was travelling in. In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst. That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck."
Aftermath and Police Investigation
The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of Joshua's friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. Joshua himself sustained minor injuries and remains under observation in a Nigerian hospital, where he has been joined by his mother, Yeta Odusanya.
While the boxer continues his recuperation, his driver has been discharged from medical care. A significant development has emerged from the Nigerian police. CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, a spokesperson for the force, confirmed to the Daily Mail: "Anthony Joshua's driver has been discharged from the hospital, and he is currently giving his statement."
Local reports suggest that, based on the evidence gathered, the driver could be charged with dangerous driving. In a separate line of inquiry, police have declared the driver of the stationary truck wanted after they fled the scene following the collision.
Statements and Ongoing Recovery
A spokesperson for Anthony Joshua released a heartfelt statement confirming the devastating news. It read: "It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm... the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin 'Lateef' Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team." The statement requested privacy for the grieving families and confirmed Joshua was in a stable condition.
Eyewitness accounts provided to the Punch newspaper described a two-vehicle convoy, with Joshua seated behind the driver in the lead Lexus. The immediate rescue effort was undertaken by bystanders before officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived at the scene.
As the legal process unfolds, the boxing world awaits further updates on Joshua's condition and the formal outcome of the police investigation into the circumstances of the tragic crash.
