By CHILA NAMAIKO –
A TWO-YEAR-OLD baby has died on the spot while its mother is battling for life in Monze Mission Hospital.
This is after the two were ran over by a speeding motorist.
The accident happened when an unidentified motorist, who was driving a Toyota Opel registration number ALK 2744, tried to dodge traffic police officers who were on patrol along the Monze-Mazabuka Road.
A passenger, Edward Moyo, 35, who was on the same vehicle, suffered internal injuries while the driver bolted after abandoning his vehicle near Monze High School.
The child, Henry Siloka, died on the spot while his mother, Eunice Banda, 35, of plot number 10/18, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula area, suffered fractured legs.
Southern Province Assistant Police Chief, Kashif Mphande confirmed the incident which happened on Friday around 11:00 hours.
Mr Mphande said some officers were on a routine patrol and when the driver approached them and realised they were police officers, he made an instant u-turn on the road and drove away from them.
He said the man sped off while driving in a dangerous manner and the officers got suspicious and decided to pursue him towards Monze central business district.
In the process of running away in the town centre, Mr Mphande said the man bashed into Ms Banda who was carrying a child on her back.
Ms Banda sprawled in the middle of the road due to the impact while her child died on the spot but the man continued running away from the officers.
Upon noticing he had hit the woman, the man drove towards Monze High School where he abandoned his vehicle and dodged the officers.
Mr Mphande said when the officers arrived, they only found Mr Moyo inside the vehicle who suffered internal injuries and was admitted to Monze Mission Hospital.
The assistant police chief said police had since launched a manhunt for the driver, who is on the run.