No fewer than six people lost their lives on Tuesday after a speeding black Toyota vehicle crashed into traders and commercial motorcyclists at Umuikaa Junction in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, along the Enugu–Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway.

Seven other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash, while six motorcycles were damaged.

According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle, which was travelling from the Umuahia axis of the expressway, reportedly lost control before veering off the road and ploughing into traders gathered at the junction. Several of the victims were said to be female traders.

The out-of-control vehicle also struck commercial motorcycle operators who had assembled at the location for their daily business before eventually crashing into a nearby building.

The bodies of those who died in the accident were evacuated to a mortuary after medical personnel confirmed them dead, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.

Although the relevant authorities are yet to officially determine the cause of the crash, some residents of Umuikaa attributed the incident to either excessive speeding or a possible brake failure.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia State Command, C.C. Ngozi Ezeoma, simply stated, “Yes, it happened at Umuikaa Junction.”