By Bless Zoshe
Buea, Cameroon
A Buea-based taxi driver was detained for several hours by elements of the GMI No 5 in Buea, for knocking down three people in two separate road accidents on Sunday February 24.
Eye witness accounts say the driver; Ntoko Collins Epie was in a terribly drunken state, when he hit a young man along the Muea road and fled, leaving the victim helpless in a ditch.
Wrecked taxi after accident
It was in his escape that the taxi driver knocked down two other individuals onboard a motor bike, before bashing his taxi against a stationed bus. However, Epie was eventually intercepted by a Good Samaritan chased and caught up with him at the Mile 17 bus station.
“I was drinking with friends in a bar when I noticed that this taxi had hit a young man and was speeding off. So I decided to follow him in my car. Despite all attempts to stop him, the driver continued as if nothing happened. It was when he tried to negotiate a bend at the roundabout, that he lost control, hit the motorbike and dashed into the stationary bus.” The eye witness narrated.
As an angry pack gathered ready to perpetrate mob action, the drunk driver was saved by elements of the GMI No 5, Buea, who were on patrol in the area. Despite growing agitation the police successfully dispersed the crowd, seized the car documents, and immediately detained the driver.
Apart from the damaged taxi, there was no human casualty. Meanwhile, Epie was finally released about 8pm Sunday, even though he could barely trace his way to his wrecked taxi. He also blamed the incident on brakes failure.
