By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Nov. 2, GNA- A Juvenile and Family Court has remanded
Elrad Salifu Amoako, the minor involved in the East Legon fatal
crash that resulted in two deaths, to a correctional home.
The 16-year-old faces eight charges, including two counts of
manslaughter and three counts of negligently causing harm, and
two counts of dangerous driving and driving without a valid
license.
Elrad Amoako has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him
and is scheduled to reappear in court on November 7, 2024.
The Court has ordered that his passport be submitted to the
court’s registry.
The case stems from a tragic crash on October 12, 2024, which
resulted in the deaths of two 12-year-old girls, Maame Dwomoh
Boateng and Justine Agbenu.
Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, Assistant State Attorney, narrated that the
accused, Elrad Amoako, is a student living in Adjiriganor, Accra,
and is supported by his father, Elisha Salifu Amoako, the founder
of Alive Chapel International, as well as his mother, Mouha
Amoako, and his older brother, Elyon Amoako.
Mr. Acquah informed the court that despite Elrad Amoako’s age
and the lack of a valid driver's license, his family members
frequently allowed him access to their cars and permitted him to
drive.
On October 12, 2024, during Elyon’s birthday party held at an
event center in East Legon, Elrad Amoako requested the keys to
his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace Sport (GN 7801-20) from a guest,
Linda Bonsu Bempah.
The prosecution explained that Bempah, who was Elyon
Amoako's personal assistant, had been entrusted with the keys to
the Jaguar F-Pace Sport vehicle while supervising the event.
During the party, Elrad Amoako requested the keys from Bempah,
and she handed them over.
He then took the car and drove to A&C Mall with a friend, where
they met others waiting in two SUVs.
The prosecution stated that the three vehicles formed a convoy,
with Elrad Amoako leading in his mother's car as they drove
through the East Legon area.
The court heard that while driving on Dzane-Ashie Road, Elrad
Amoako recklessly decided to show off the speed of the vehicle,
ignoring the presence of other motorists.
The prosecution detailed how he approached a T-junction at
Mensah Wood Avenue at high speed, with no consideration for
road safety.
As he reached the junction, Joseph Ackah, the driver of an Acura
SUV, had slowed down to make the turn.
Elrad collided violently with the rear of the Acura, causing both
vehicles to fly across the street and crash into a nearby wall, also
damaging an ECG pole in the process.
The prosecutor described the harrowing aftermath of the crash,
stating that both vehicles caught fire almost immediately, creating
a raging inferno.
Elrad managed to escape his car along with his passenger, but
Joseph Ackah, the driver of the Acura, and three passengers,
including the two 12-year-old girls, were trapped inside.
Despite the efforts of bystanders who rushed to the scene with
fire extinguishers, they were unable to quell the flames.
Ackah fought to open his door and leaped into the flames to
rescue the toddler and help others.
Volunteers managed to pull the toddler from the burning wreckage
and freed her sister from the back seat, but sadly, the two
remaining girls could not be saved as the fire grew more intense.
All those rescued, including the accused, were taken to the
hospital for various injuries.
The prosecution said that investigations revealed Elrad had driven
in a manner far below the standards expected of a competent
driver, leading to the tragic incident.
The prosecution revealed that a caution statement was taken
from Elrad Amoako, in which he admitted to taking the keys from
Linda Bempah, picking up a friend, and driving to the A&C Mall.
Following the incident, the case docket was forwarded to the
Office of the Attorney General for review.
The Attorney General recommended charging the accused with
two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligently causing
harm, two counts of dangerous driving, and driving without a valid
license.
GNA
