Names Released in Fatal Ondangwa Accident That Left One Dead and Six Injured
The person who died in Tuesday’s fatal road accident in Ondangwa has been identified as 44-year-old Ananias Mvula, a resident of Okatale village in Uukwiyu Uushona.
Six women who were injured in the accident have also been identified as Cecilia Kandenge, Rosalia Simon, Elizabeth Namtanga, Linda Nteka, Johanna Mumbandje and Hanna Amwele.
Kandenge reportedly sustained serious head injuries, while Simon, Namtanga, Nteka, Mumbandje and Amwele suffered moderate injuries. All six were transported to hospital by private ambulances.
The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a minibus allegedly collided with a hatchback before losing control and crashing into street vendors and pedestrians along the roadside.
Mvula died at the scene, while the six women were injured in the incident.
The investigation has, however, been complicated by problems with alcohol-testing equipment available to the police.
According to an incident report shared by Oshana regional police commander Commissioner Andreas Shilelo on Wednesday, the minibus driver recorded 0.69 mg/L on a roadside breathalyser test, a reading the police say was above the legal limit.
Police have since opened cases of culpable homicide and driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
However, investigators reportedly cannot currently rely on blood alcohol testing at police stations in Oshana and neighbouring Oshikoto, as the available blood alcohol testing kits have expired.
The report also states that the regional Draeger breathalyser machine is not functioning, creating further challenges for investigators seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The minibus driver was detained overnight due to the seriousness of the accident. Police were expected to determine on Wednesday whether to keep him in custody or release him on a J127 warning while investigations continue.
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