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Anthony Joshua is recovering in a hospital in Nigeria after a devastating car crash that claimed the lives of his two best friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele. The driver of the vehicle Joshua was traveling in has been discharged and may face prosecution for reckless driving.
Investigation Reveals Excessive Speed
The crash occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun when the car Joshua was in ploughed into a stationary truck. Babatunde Akinbiyi, a spokesperson for Ogun State’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, said:
“From the preliminary investigation that was conducted, definitely there was overspeeding on the part of the SUV Anthony Joshua was travelling in. In the course of that, the front tyre on the passenger side burst. That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck that was parked. There was excessive speed.”
According to DailyMail, local police have received a statement from the driver, who had been hired for the trip, after his hospital discharge. Meanwhile, the driver of the truck involved has reportedly fled the scene and is now wanted. An eyewitness described the accident as involving,
“a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed.”
Anthony Joshua Remains Stable in Hospital
Following the crash, Joshua was rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, rated Nigeria’s best private hospital, where he is receiving one-to-one care. His mother, Yeta Odusanya, rushed to his bedside, and he is being monitored closely. A spokesperson for Joshua confirmed:
“It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm… the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele. Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation.”
The crash comes just ten days after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami. He had been visiting family in Nigeria on a holiday before resuming training for a potential fight against Rico Verhoeven or Tyson Fury later this year. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the driver could face charges for reckless driving in connection with this tragic incident.
