The friends and family of Damilola Matuluko, a Nigerian woman living in the United States who was run over and killed by a Metro bus driver in Houston, Texas, on Friday, have expressed their shock on Instagram.
Matuluko, who joined the City of Houston Human Resources in December 2023, was reportedly knocked down while walking south on Smith Street to her place of work just after 7:30 in the morning.
According to multiple reports by the US-based news outlets, the Nigerian lady was in the crosswalk and was signalled to go before the impatient driver rammed her over, leading to her death.
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Several accounts by some US-based news media stated that the Nigerian woman was killed on the crosswalk even though she was given the go-ahead to cross by the pedestrian light.
“The video we’ve been able to review so far indicates the pedestrian was in the crosswalk. The pedestrian had a walk signal, so it appears the pedestrian was legal in crossing the street at the time,” a statement credited to a Metro police, Lt. Tim McClelland, as reported by Fox26, a US-based news medium, explained.
The cop also faulted the driver for not yielding the right of way to Matuluko and waiting for her to cross before knocking her down.
“I’m told anytime something like this happens, the driver is immediately taken for drug and alcohol testing to check for any possible impairment,” McClelland added.
While mourning her death, a statement that was also credited to Jane Cheeks, a director from the deceased’s workplace, read, “Damilola Matuluko joined the City of Houston HR Operations Employee Relations team in December 2023, supporting the Houston Public Works Department.
“Although Damilola had only been with the HR Department for a short time, she had become a beloved and impactful team member. She will be sincerely missed by her colleagues in the City of Houston.”
Meanwhile, a travel agent, who goes by the name Toccanada on Instagram, described the deceased as her school daughter who was “respectful and peaceful”, saying, “You will always be remembered.”
