A driver who was widely praised on social media for preventing a major accident on the Ofankor-Nsawam Highway has had the public narrative around the incident challenged after eyewitness accounts and police investigations pointed to reckless driving.

On Monday, July 13, 2026, videos circulating on social media showed a Toyota Vitz driver being celebrated after he appeared to have crossed the path of a truck that had reportedly suffered brake failure, preventing it from crashing into other vehicles and pedestrians.

The footage showed the driver being embraced by a woman, apparently in appreciation for what many believed was a heroic act that averted a disaster.

By the evening of the same day, social media was filled with messages praising the Vitz driver for his alleged bravery.

However, in an interview with JoyNews on Thursday, July 16, 2026, an eyewitness gave a different account of what happened.

According to the eyewitness, the truck driver had been applying his brakes repeatedly while the Vitz driver attempted to overtake him.

“The Vitz driver was not smart and that caused the accident. The truck driver continued to apply the brakes; suddenly to prevent an accident, the tyre marks were all over the road,” he recounted.

13 reported dead in Kumasi-Accra Highway crash

The eyewitness explained that the truck driver eventually managed to avoid a more serious disaster by taking control of the situation.

The Achimota Mile 7 District Police Headquarters, where both vehicles have been impounded for further investigations, also indicated that preliminary findings suggested the Vitz driver was reckless.

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) Divisional Police Commander, ASP Bawa Abubakari, said initial investigations showed that the Vitz driver’s actions contributed to the crash.

He disclosed that the driver was also using a temporary licence at the time of the incident.

ASP Bawa added that the truck driver applied both the handbrake and foot brake in an attempt to prevent the situation from becoming fatal.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing.

JKB/VPO

Governance must transcend politics and begin at home - Prof Douglass Boateng