A driver, Richard Botwe, 50, has been remanded into police custody by the Nkawie Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a fatal accident.

His plea was not taken, and he is expected to reappear before the court on July 11, 2025.

Police Inspector Kwaku Frimpong, presenting the facts, told the court presided over by Mr. Robert Addo that the accused is a professional driver.

On June 11, at about 0600 hours, Botwe was driving a Kia Rio with registration number AS 9519-19 from Abuakwa towards Bibiani.

Upon reaching Atwima-Mim township, he reportedly veered off his lane and collided head-on with an oncoming school bus belonging to Mim Life Gate International School, with registration number AS 4379-20.

The crash resulted in injuries to the school bus driver, a female teacher, and 17 pupils on board.

The victims were rushed to the Afari Community Hospital for treatment.

However, the bus driver, aged 55, and two pupils, aged eight and ten, were pronounced dead shortly after admission.

The prosecution further revealed that a breathalyser test conducted by the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.135 per cent in the accused, far above the legal limit of 0.08.

In his caution statement, the accused admitted to consuming alcohol the night before the incident.

Following preliminary police investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.