A 36–year–old man lost his life in a grisly road accident along the busy Nairobi–Namanga highway in Athi River, Machakos County.
Silvester Mutinda Muiende died on the spot after he was run over by a Namanga-bound trailer at Athi River Bridge near Shell petrol station on Saturday.
The incident caused a significant traffic jam along the highway, lasting nearly two hours as motorists diverted to the alternative old Athi River bridge nearby.
Bodaboda operators blocked the highway at the bridge, awaiting the arrival of police officers to collect the body.
Athi River South sub-county police commander Jos Mudavadi said the incident that occurred at about 4.50 pm on Saturday was reported to Athi River police station as a fatal injury road traffic accident.
“Yesterday at about 4.50 pm along Nairobi – Namanga highway at Athi River bridge near Shell petrol station, a trailer of Scania make being driven by one Liberatus Venance Ntalegama hit and killed the deceased on the spot,” Mudavadi told the Star on Sunday.
Mudavadi said the said motor vehicle was being driven towards Namanga general direction when the incident occurred.
“The vehicle was being driven towards Namanga general direction when it hit one Silvester Mutinda Muinde who was crossing the road from left to right. As a result, he sustained a fractured skull and lower abdomen and died on the spot,” Mudavadi said.
The police boss said the scene was processed by officers from Athi River police station who moved the body to Shalom Community Hospital mortuary for preservation awaiting postmortem examination.
The motor vehicle has been impounded at the same police station pending inspection.
Mudavadi said they had launched investigations into the incident.