Anthony Joshua narrowly escaped tragedy by changing seats just before a fatal car accident claimed the lives of two of his friends. The incident occurred on Monday, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of Joshua’s companions while he sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, with his lawyer attributing the accident to brake failure.
According to the lawyer, the journey began in Lagos, and initially, Joshua was seated in the front but was asked by the driver to switch places due to visibility issues. It was revealed that another passenger, Latif, also changed seats during the trip. The driver, identified as Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with multiple offenses including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless driving, negligence, and driving without a valid license.
In a statement released by the Ogun State Police Command, it was confirmed that Kayode had been charged at the Sagamu Magistrate Court, with a court date set for January 20. The police also disclosed that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the accident, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was formally charged.
Additionally, the victims of the crash, who were long-time friends of Joshua, played significant roles in his career as a strength and conditioning coach and trainer. The boxing community, including Eddie Hearn, Tony Bellew, Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Wladimir Klitschko, expressed their condolences for the loss.
Joshua, who had recently been on vacation in Nigeria following a victory over Jake Paul in Miami, was discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Eve. He has yet to make a public statement regarding the incident but was declared fit to recover at home. Joshua and his mother paid their final respects to their departed friends at a funeral home in Lagos before their repatriation.