An elderly man died after he was hit by a Land Cruiser vehicle in Melut County of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State on Wednesday, traffic police said.

Melut County Traffic Police Director Col. John Nyok told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the elderly man, believed to be in his 70s, died at the scene after being knocked down by a car at Suk al-Jou in Paloch town on Wednesday evening.

The traffic police officer identified the victim as Monyluak Monyjok.

"The accident occurred on Wednesday at around 9 pm. The accident happened in Suk al-Jou, and the elderly man died on the spot,” he said.

"We have already completed the traffic police procedures, and the deceased has been received by his family,” he added.

Col. Nyok pointed out that the car driver had been arrested and that investigation by the police is ongoing. “Our role will now focus on whether the car had been insured or not and also the will check the license. This will happen after the investigator finalizes the work,” he said.

Car accidents are not common in Melut County.

Article 210 of the South Sudan Penal Code, 2008 says whoever causes the death to a person by negligently failing to realize that death may result from his or her conduct commits the offence of culpable homicide and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for any lesser term or with a fine or with both.