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Police Issue Major Suspect Update Following Fatal Anthony Joshua Car Crash
Police have issued a major suspect update following the deadly car crash involving Anthony Joshua in Nigeria earlier this week.
The boxing legend was involved in a fatal car accident on Monday (December 29) that left two dead.
Two of the star’s close friends, that were members of his team, tragically lost their lives in the fatal crash on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Nigeria.
He was traveling to the West African country to ring in the new year with family, who live in the town of Sagamu in Ogun State.
But the tragedy that unfolded was far from the celebrations the family may have had planned.
Anthony Joshua ‘narrowly escaped death’
Following the devastating crash, Joshua’s family has spoken out, with one member stating that they are in complete ‘shock’ that the boxer ‘narrowly escaped death.’
In an update, his uncle Robert revealed: “We have not been allowed to see him, but from information given by authorities, he is responding to treatment.
“The incident shook our family deeply. Though our Anthony is alive, two of his friends, who came to celebrate with us, lost their lives.
“This is a serious tragedy, not only for our family, but for Ogun State, Nigeria, and the world at large.
“We are deeply saddened that two people very close to Anthony did not survive.
“Our hearts are with their families.”
Who died in the crash?
The two men killed in the accident were close friend’s of the star, and had helped him prepare for his fight against YouTube boxer, Jake Paul, just weeks earlier.
Strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami, and personal trainer Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, were integral members of the camp.
The pair died instantly after the Lexus SUV slammed into a parked truck on the notoriously dangerous road.
The accident came just days after Joshua’s fight at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
He won the fight by via a sixth-round knockout, which was viewed by over 33 million global viewers on Netflix.
Following the crash, his opponent, Paul released a heartfelt message.
The 28-year-old wrote: “Life is much more important than boxing.
“I am praying for the lost lives, AJ, and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”
Boxer Tyson Fury also offered condolences.
“This is so sad,” the former heavyweight world champion penned. “May God give them a good bed in heaven.”
What caused the deadly crash?
It’s been revealed that the SUV involved was suspected to have been traveling ‘beyond the legally prescribed speed limit,’ and crashed into the stationary vehicle during ‘an overtaking manoeuvre.’
While it was reported that Joshua, nor his two late friends, were driving the vehicle, police have since issued a suspect update.
Joshua and his two late team members had arrived in Nigeria on Monday evening on a Virgin Atlantic flight, and had allegedly only been in the country for six hours prior to the accident.
A baggage handler at the airport, Solomon, has spoken out following the deadly crash.
He said: “They were all smiling and laughing and joking as they walked through arrivals towards the exit.
“I see Joshua quite often here as he comes to Nigeria regularly. He was happy to pose for a picture and then he walked away waving and smiling.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news a few hours later that he had been involved in a fatal accident.”
Police issue suspect update
Police have since issued a major update on the driver of the vehicle.
The ‘reckless’ chauffeur has been identified as 47-year-old Kayode Adeniyi, who has been a long-standing member of Joshua’s Nigerian team.
He was discharged from hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve, and has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Upon being released from hospital after receiving treatment for ‘minor injuries,’ Adeniyi was questioned for several hours, and gave an official account of what allegedly happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
A police source stated: “He is in a stable condition and was able to provide us with his version of events that led up to the crash.”
Prosecutors brought four charges against Adeniyi, including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
The case has been adjourned until the end of January.
Related Article: Anthony Joshua’s Heartbreaking Health Update As More Devastating Details Emerge
Related Article: Haunting Video From Inside Anthony Joshua’s Car Captures Moments Before Fatal Crash
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