A United States-based Nigerian national, Godspower Oniovosa, has been charged in connection with the death of a yet-to-be named male victim following a hit-and-run crash in Houston, Texas. 

The City of Houston announced the charges against Mr Oniovosa in a statement, stating that the incident occurred in the early hours of May 10 when the 50-year-old struck the victim with his Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

Police disclosed that instead of stopping to render immediate medical assistance to the man, Mr Oniovosa fled the scene, while the victim was later declared dead at the scene.

“Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal hit and run crash in the 2600 block of South State Highway 6 about 2:45 a.m. on May 10.

“The suspect, Godspower Oniovosa, 50, is charged with failure to stop and render aid (FSRA) involving death in the 263rd Criminal District Court. A booking photo of Oniovosa is attached to this news release,” the City of Houston stated. 

In their report about the incident, Sergeant K. Bui and Officer J. Rincon of the Houston Police Department Vehicular Crimes Division, noted that the vehicle involved in the accident was eventually found parked with a damaged front end. 

Additionally, Mr Oniovosa was arrested and brought back to the crime scene. He was subsequently charged with failure to stop and render aid.

“A black Land Rover Range Rover Sport was travelling southbound at the above address when it struck a male pedestrian who was in the intersection at the above address. The Land Rover did not stop to render aid. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The Land Rover was later located stalled with heavy front end damage. The driver, Godspower Oniovosa, was detained and returned to the scene of the crash. Officers consulted the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the suspect was charged and arrested,” the officers wrote in the report. 

Authorities added “Identity of the deceased male is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.”

Recall that the Peoples Gazette last week reported that a Nigerian man serving as a correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Ayodele Abiodun Afosi, was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident.

Mr Afosi’s arrest came just three months after being hired by the Texas government as a prison guard, putting his employment with the state in jeopardy.