A 29-year-old policeman, Jacob John Nimir, died after a commuter vehicle he was traveling in along Juba-Torit road overturned in the Kor-English area, Kudo Payam of Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State on Sunday. 

Major Farouk Yousif, the deputy director for traffic police in Eastern Equatoria State, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, “This accident happened on the 17th January at 5:45 pm at Khor-English when the vehicle overturned.” 

“The driver’s name is Robert Gonda Wani, 33 years old from Bari tribe and the vehicle’s registration number is SSD 749B. There were five people on board but when it overturned one person died. The person who died is called Jacob John Nimir Oromo. He is 29 years old from Lotuko tribe, a policeman and he lives here in Ibalany, so he was brought and buried here in Torit,” Major Farouk added.

The traffic police boss said according to the information received, the driver was overspeeding when they came upon goats roaming on the road. When he tried to brake, the vehicle flipped three times. 

“This driver has been brought to Torit now and a case has been opened. He is in custody at the municipal police station,” Major Farouk said. “Investigations continue and if he has a relative he will be bailed out and he can go and negotiate with the relatives of the deceased to see ways of how to compensate. If they agree, they will finish with the public prosecutor and the charges will be dropped, but if they fail it will be forwarded to the court.”

Major Justine kleopus Takuru, the Torit police spokesperson confirmed the accident and attributed it to speeding. He strongly cautioned drivers not to speed while on the highway. 

“This person knocked his head on the wall of the car to death according to the medical doctor. Yesterday, a car was sent to pull that vehicle for more investigations but the main cause of the accident is over speeding. The driver was not drunk but was speeding. People should go slowly, you will reach Juba. Drivers should take care,” Takuru cautioned. 

He said there was another accident along the Torit- Magwi road last week but no deaths were reported.