By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
A 40-foot trailer with registration No Delta ASB 405YZ, laden with cement has reportedly rammed into a residential building at No 161 Beverly Hills Estate, GRA, Onitsha, Anambra State, smashing two exortic cars, perimeter fence gate, pillars, among others
Trouble was said to have started for the driver when he kept deaf ear to warning from the Chief security officer of the estate who advised him to turn back that heavy duty vehicles are prohibited from plying the estate due to the topographic nature of the environment.
As he insisted to continue, on getting to his destination where the cement would be off loaded in an uncompleted building, he tried to negotiate but the weight of the cement forced the vehicle to descend the hill immediately despite bid to control the heavy duty vehicle and on the process it rammed into the residential building, smashing the two cars, perimetre fence gate, wall, pillars of the house, among others.
No life was lost as the landlord, Mr. Ven Uche Adoga, a retired civil servant, and his family were reportedly upstairs in the one storey duplex when the incident occurred at about 8am on the fateful day.
Thanking God for saving his life and those of his family, the landlord, Mr Odoga, recalled that on the fateful day, "I was with my family upstairs when I heard deafening sound and became shocked. When I looked outside People gathered and I went into coma and regained consciousness later.
"My two cars, furmatic car that is newly bought and a Benzer jeep were all smashed. The house was touched because the trailer rammed into it, fence gate, wall, pillars and many other items were smashed beyond recognition. The driver who is currently being detained at 3'3 Police station, was said to be making calls when the incident happened and wanted to run away but was held by sympathizers and some co landlords.
"The driver was taken to the police station where he is being detained and the trailer towed to the police station with the help of the landlords who blamed the driver for not taking the advice given to him earlier not to ply the estate.
"The worst is that since the incident happened the principal to the driver has not shown any concern by coming to ascertain the extent of destruction and discuss with me on how to come out of the wood because we are human beings. He wants to frustrate me and my family," Adoga lamented.
On his own take, counsel to the landlord, Barr. E.E Egbo, frowned at the attitude of the driver and his principal adding that the incident would have been averted if the driver had listened to the advice of the Chief security officer of the estate who advised him earlier to turn back because of the topography of the area.
"The driver claimed to be an expert driver and then ended up in smashing two cars, house, perimetre gate, pillars, among others. It is very unfortunate that the driver refused to take the Advice given to him.
"Up till now the principal to the driver has not shown up, that shows he is callous, something that would have pulled down the entire house didn't move him to show concern. It is very unfortunate.
"We are going to take up the matter, the damage is a collosal one, caused by neglect, we will take legal action as last resort since the principal to the driver doesn't want to show concern," he vowed.
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, incharge of 3'3 police station, Mr. Chukwunonso Onunkwo (CSP), was not on seat but a senior police officer who pleaded anonymity confirmed detention of the driver but declined further comment.
Tags
CRIME