Speeding Truck Crushes Police Inspector at Calabar Checkpoint, Driver in Custody

By Missang AKPET

A female police inspector, Edna Matthew, is currently receiving treatment after she was crushed in a road accident involving a Mack truck and a Toyota Sienna bus along the Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar. The incident occurred during a stop and search operation.

The crash happened around the Apostolic Sign Board axis, shortly after Word of Life Church near Bebobsco junction, according to eyewitness accounts.

Witnesses said the Mack truck was speeding and honking continuously as it approached from the Zone 6 axis towards a police checkpoint mounted for routine enforcement duties.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, allegedly due to brake failure, and rammed into a Sienna bus stationed at the roadblock. The impact pushed the bus into Inspector Matthew, knocking her down before the truck ran over both of her legs.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, Sunday Eitokpa, described it as a serious motor accident that occurred during active police duty.

“A speeding Mack truck collided with a Sienna vehicle and also hit a police officer, Inspector Edna Matthew, who sustained multiple injuries and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital,” Eitokpa said.

He added that the truck driver, identified as Michael Elijah, 33, has been arrested while the vehicle has been recovered.

According to him, “investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”