Joshua’s reckless’ crash driver, Adeniyi, is to be charged amid the hunt for the truck driver who fled

Former world champion Anthony Joshua’s car crash driver is expected to be charged with reckless driving within the next two days, officials in Nigeria have revealed.

The chauffeur has been identified as Kayode Adeniyi, 47, a member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team when the former heavyweight champ visits the West African nation.

Boxer Anthony Joshua is crying out in pain as he is helped by a man in a suit, surrounded by a crowd of people, next to a black car. 9

AJ and the hired driver were both sitting on the opposite side from the boxing star’s close friends, Sina and Latz, at the time of the horror crash on Monday and narrowly escaped death.

Tragically, both Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were travelling with AJ in Nigeria, died on impact when the Lexus SUV they were riding in collided with a truck on the side of the notorious Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Driver Adeniyi was discharged from the hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve and has reportedly stated to the police.

The driver of the truck that Joshua’s SUV collided with reportedly vanished moments after the fatal crash.

He remains at large as Nigerian cops frantically try to locate him.

Adeniyi is understood to have been questioned for hours over the moments leading up to the fatal smash for hours.

A police source said: “The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning.

“He is in a stable condition and was able to provide us with his version of events that led up to the crash, and we expect a charging decision within the next 48 hours, but the bank holiday may delay proceedings.

“It is possible he could be in court on Friday, but it depends on how quickly the process moves, and it would be for reckless driving.”

Following the horror smash, a source from the Federal Road Safety Corps said: “Preliminary reports indicate the driver exceeded speed limits and overtook dangerously before the crash.

“These are serious offences under Nigerian law and can attract criminal liability if fatalities are involved.”

Immediately after the collision, the former heavyweight champ and the driver were rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos for treatment.

Both narrowly escaped the fatal crash with their lives and have since been discharged from the hospital, with AJ miraculously escaping the impact with no broken bones.

He paid a visit to his two friends in a funeral home, supported by his mother.

It is understood that Latz and Sina’s bodies will be repatriated from Nigeria to the UK.

The sporting legend will continue his recovery in Nigeria with his mother by his side.

Joshua previously said he had searing pain in his knees and cried out in agony as he was taken from the wreckage of the Lexus 4×4.

 Despite rumours, tests have revealed the boxing legend miraculously suffered no serious physical injuries.

However, fears have now been raised that the grief and mental scarring from the road tragedy could put potential mega-fights next year in doubt.

AJ’s family have spoken out after the horror crash, with his uncle Robert saying: “We have not been allowed to see him, but from information given by authorities, he is responding to treatment.

“The incident shook our family deeply. Though our son, Anthony, is alive, two of his friends, who came to celebrate with us, lost their lives.

“This is a serious tragedy, not only for our family, but for Ogun State, Nigeria, and the world at large.

“We are deeply saddened that two people very close to Anthony did not survive. Our hearts are with their families.”

Inquiries into the cause of the fatal crash were continuing.

Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria’s traffic unit said checks showed the Lexus “experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed” then “lost control”.

The chaotic and busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is known as Nigeria’s “Highway of Death” owing to its horrific safety record.

The 80-mile stretch has claimed 73 lives in the past three months and a total of 645 over the past two years.