A 16-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter following a tragic accident in East Legon that claimed the lives of two young passengers. The juvenile, who cannot be named due to legal protections, faces eight charges, including manslaughter, negligently causing harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a license.
The accused appeared before the Family and Juvenile Court in Accra on November 1, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court ordered his detention in a correctional facility and required the surrender of both his American and Ghanaian passports. He is set to reappear in court on November 7.
According to Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, the accused, despite his young age and lack of a valid driver’s license, had been frequently allowed access to family vehicles. On October 12, 2024, at a birthday celebration for Elyon Amoako held in East Legon, the accused reportedly asked Linda Bonsu Bempah, a personal assistant at the event, for the keys to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace Sport, which she handed over.
The prosecution stated that the teen then drove the car, accompanied by a friend, to the A&C Mall, where they met friends driving two other SUVs. Forming a convoy, the accused allegedly led the group through East Legon, speeding along Dzane-Ashie Road and ignoring other road users. At a T-junction near Mensah Wood Avenue, he collided with an Acura transporting several young passengers.
The prosecutor recounted that the violent impact threw both vehicles across the street, smashing into a house and damaging an ECG pole. Both vehicles caught fire. While the accused and his passenger escaped, the occupants of the Acura were trapped, with bystanders unable to fully control the flames despite attempts with fire extinguishers.
The driver of the Acura was pulled to safety, and two young passengers in the back were rescued. Tragically, two other young girls remained trapped and could not be saved as the fire intensified.
Following an investigation, authorities determined that the accused’s driving fell “well below what was expected of any competent and careful driver,” posing a significant danger to others on the road.
The accused admitted to taking the keys from Linda Bempah, picking up a friend, and meeting others at the A&C Mall prior to the accident.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
Join our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakDz4u9RZATWh53yC1a
