TRAGEDY struck the jubilant atmosphere of President-elect Joseph Boakai’s victory celebration as a speeding vehicle ploughed into supporters, claiming the lives of at least two individuals and leaving 18 others injured, confirmed authorities on Tuesday.
Colonel Melvin Sackor, Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations, revealed that an arrest was made in connection to the crash late Monday. However, the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed pending further investigation.
While the motive behind the crash at the Unity Party headquarters in Monrovia remains uncertain, it occurred shortly after election officials formally announced Boakai’s victory in the recent presidential runoff vote.
‘Police are investigating the incident to ascertain the motive behind the tragic crash,’ stated Colonel Sackor, refraining from confirming any political motivations at this stage.
The National Elections Commission confirmed Boakai’s win with 50.64 percent of the vote in the second round of balloting, with incumbent President George Weah securing 49.36 percent.
Days prior to this incident, Weah had conceded defeat based on the provisional results, urging his supporters to honour and accept the outcome of the election.