Police in Balaka have arrested a fugitive driver, Fred Gondwe, 35, for allegedly causing deaths of a cyclist and a month old baby boy.
The accident occurred on Friday night, January 8, 2021 at Mpulula area along Balaka – Liwonde M8 Road.
The deceased have been identified as: Frank Mdodo, 41, of Ralph Mawande Village, Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blantyre, and the baby boy, Chisomo Saidi of Mpulula Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka.
After hitting the cyclist to death, Gondwe neither stopped nor reported to police until January 13 when he handed himself over to Kanengo Police Station in Lilongwe.
On the fateful night, Gondwe was driving motor vehicle, registration number BR 7112 Isuzu KB Pick Up belonging to Best Car Hire, from the direction of Balaka heading towards Liwonde.
Upon arrival at Mpulula area, he hit the pedal cyclist, Mdodo, who was cycling towards the same direction with a pillion passenger, Patricia Saidi (39) who carried the baby boy.
The cyclist died on the spot after sustaining spinal injury while the baby, who sustained fractured right thigh, died the following day, January 9, whilst receiving treatment at Balaka District Hospital.
Following the hit and run accident, investigations were instituted that led to the recovery of the vehicle which was hidden at Mponda location within Balaka Township.
Gondwe will appear in court after thorough investigations.
He comes from Kachere Village, Traditional Authority Wasambo in Karonga.
