Family and friends of a 45-year-old Nigerian man, Patrick Ohanta, who was killed in the United State of America by a drunk driver just six weeks after arriving in the state, have taken to social media to mourn him.
The deceased, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, was hit and killed by a car driven by a drunk driver while standing by the side of a kerb in Pineville, Louisiana.
He’s said to have arrived America only 6 weeks ago, and was reportedly walking home from a job interview at about 5.20 PM when the tragic incident occurred.
Police say Patrick was attempting to cross the Curtis-Coleman Bridge when he was struck by a vehicle driven by David Slaughter, a 29 year-old man from Pineville. A preliminary investigation conducted by the APD shows the man drove onto the shoulder hitting Ohanta who was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the site, the driver was apprehended. He was detained and charged with 4th offense DWI, operating a vehicle while license is suspended, reckless driving, and vehicular murder.
Taking to Facebook, a close friend of the deceased, one Olayinka Davids wrote,
“This life! Aiye! #LifeIsUnfair. Pato Patrick Ohanta this is not how we planned it. 😭😭 You were suppose to get here and start a better life for yourself and your family. You worked so hard, but had your life cut short by an intoxicated/impaired driver barely 6weeks after getting to the US.
This makes absolute no sense to me. You struggled & endured too much to deserve this – taken away from us just when things are beginning to look bright. You did not deserve this one bit brother….God knows best! Rest in Peace classmate, friend and brother. #InAllThingsGiveThanks”.
