A TOYOTA Hiace driver whose minibus crashed under a Fuso truck yesterday leaving 14 people dead, including two infants and nine others injured is on the run.

ACP Richard Abwao, the Tabora regional police commander, told journalists that the accident occurred in the morning at Mwasengo village, Mwakarungi ward of Nzega District, Tabora Region.

The crash took place along the Itobo-Bukene road. The Toyota Hiace T562 DGG hit the Fuso truck T361 CSB when the Hiace driver attempted to overtake another vehicle at high speed.

He failed and collided with the Fuso truck, which caused the minibus to crash into the underside of the raised truck’s cargo bed.

“The driver failed to overtake safely, hitting the Fuso truck and driving under its cargo, resulting in the deaths of 14 people on the spot, including infants under one-year-old, and nine others who are receiving medical treatment,” the police chief stated.

Two of the injured are being treated at Nzega District Hospital, while seven others were referred to Nkinga Regional Referral Hospital in Igunga District for further treatment.

He said the police are searching for the minibus driver who fled the scene after causing the crash. He urged drivers in the region to adhere to road safety laws to prevent accidents that claim lives.

He also advised passengers in public transport vehicles to speak out if they notice unsafe driving practices “especially when drivers are violating traffic rules and endangering their lives.”

Reports show that 80 percent of accidents are caused by reckless drivers, 12 percent arise from vehicle mechanical problems, six percent from climatic factors and only two percent of road accidents stem from poor infrastructure.

A Global Status Report on Road Safety for 2023 issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) said road traffic injuries are the most noticeable death factor among people aged 5-29 years.