Speeding Venza Crashes Into NEPA Pole In Warri, Narrowly Missing Family

A high-speed accident involving a Toyota Venza on Monday night caused panic along the Warri–Effurun Road after the vehicle reportedly flew across a wide drainage channel and crashed into a concrete NEPA pole, narrowly avoiding nearby residential premises.

The incident, which occurred at about 8:10 p.m., left residents shocked as the vehicle landed metres away from the home and vulcanizing workshop of Mr. Erhabor Ererene, who narrowly escaped being hit.

Speaking to Newscrackers, Mr. Ererene said he had stepped into his house only moments before the loud crash.

“I had just gone inside briefly when I heard a big bang. We rushed out and saw the NEPA pole resting on the bonnet of the Venza. All four tyres were completely damaged,” he said.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the driver was on “uncontrollable high speed,” which caused the car to veer off the road, leap over the drainage, and slam into the pole that stopped it from ploughing further into the compound.

Several residents who gathered at the scene also blamed excessive speed for the accident, insisting that the driver lost control long before reaching the spot.

The driver, who appeared shaken, admitted to speeding.

“I was on high speed, I couldn’t control the steering,” he repeatedly told bystanders.

Drama unfolded moments later when the driver’s wife arrived, accusing him of heading to a girlfriend’s house. Onlookers said the confrontation added to the chaotic atmosphere around the crash site.

Attempts by Newscrackers to obtain the vehicle’s registration number were unsuccessful, as both plate numbers had reportedly been removed immediately after the crash.

Further efforts to get additional details from the driver were unsuccessful.

Residents continued to troop to the scene late into the evening to catch a glimpse of the damaged vehicle and the fallen utility pole.