East Legon Crash: Salifu Amoako’s son remanded again over fatal accident
The 16-year-old son of Bishop Salifu Amoako, Elrad Amoako, who was involved in a fatal car crash at East Legon that resulted in the deaths of two people, has been remanded again.
Elrad, facing multiple charges including eight counts of manslaughter, negligent harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a license, was initially remanded after his court appearance last Friday. He pleaded not guilty during his first appearance before the Family and Juvenile Court.
It remains unclear if the juvenile has been placed in a correctional facility or committed to his parents’ custody in accordance with section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (ACT 653). The hearing was closed to the public, according to Graphic Online. Under this provision, a juvenile court may release a minor to the care of a parent, guardian, or a responsible person, or remand the juvenile to a nearby remand home if bail is denied.
The case has been adjourned until November 13.
Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah stated that despite being underage and without a valid driver’s license, Elrad’s family frequently permitted him access to their vehicles.
On October 12, 2024, the family hosted a birthday celebration for him at an event center in East Legon. During the event, Elrad asked Linda Bonsu Bempah, his personal assistant who was holding the keys to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace, to give him access to the car. Linda handed him the keys, and he took the vehicle to A&C Mall with a friend, where they met other friends waiting in two SUVs.
According to the prosecution, the three cars formed a convoy led by the accused in his mother’s Jaguar. On Dzane-Ashie Road, despite nearby traffic, Elrad accelerated rapidly, allegedly to showcase the car’s speed, recklessly approaching a T-junction at Mensah Wood Avenue.
As he reached the junction, an Acura driven by Joseph Ackah was slowing to make a turn. The prosecutor reported that the accused “rammed into the rear of the Acura,” causing a severe collision that launched both cars across the road and into a wall, damaging an ECG pole. Both vehicles immediately caught fire, quickly turning into an uncontrollable blaze. While the juvenile and his passenger managed to escape, those in the Acura were trapped.
Ackah had been transporting his employer’s two daughters—one a toddler—and their two friends, both 12 years old. Bystanders attempted to extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful. Ackah forced his door open, falling into the flames before being pulled to safety by bystanders.
One volunteer managed to pull the toddler from the burning car, while others freed her sister from the back seat. Tragically, despite their efforts, the two other girls could not be rescued as the fire intensified.
The prosecutor noted that the investigation established the accused was driving in a reckless manner, endangering the lives of others on the road. Elrad admitted to taking the keys from Linda Bempah and driving with his friend to A&C Mall.
