The family of Omotayo Samuel-Pepple, a 49-year-old Nigerian woman who tragically died after being struck by a bus in Winnipeg, Canada, is demanding answers from authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to reports, the heartbreaking incident occurred on September 16, 2025, when Omotayo was standing at a bus stop and was suddenly hit by a bus that veered off course. She sustained severe internal injuries and multiple fractures and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Despite undergoing three major surgeries, she suffered a cardiac arrest and died shortly after.
Family Left in Shock and Seeking Answers
Her grieving sister, Mary Oloyede, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from authorities and the delay in notifying the family about the accident.
“I would want to know if the driver was impaired. What actually happened? I know the police are still doing their investigation, but we are hoping there will be more information as time goes by,” Oloyede said.
Oloyede revealed that the family was informed eight hours after the crash, even though her sister was still conscious at the scene.
“She was still conscious, she was still communicating at the scene,” she explained. “Even if I was not there presently, at least I would have gotten a friend or a church member. I should have been notified so someone could be with her, but nobody contacted me.”
A Life Cut Short Too Soon
Omotayo Samuel-Pepple had moved to Canada in 2024 to pursue a degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Manitoba. Her dream was to build a better future for her family and reunite with her husband and three children, aged 14, 17, and 21, who remained in Nigeria.
Tragically, those dreams were cut short before she could bring them over.
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Oloyede is now calling on the authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation and to hold the bus driver accountable. She also appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the accident to come forward with any useful information.
“If you could share, please, at least I know it’s going to give the immediate family respite to know exactly what happened,” she pleaded.
Authorities Respond to Family’s Concerns
The case has sparked public debate about how emergency response and communication procedures are handled in Manitoba.
In a statement, Shared Health, Manitoba’s provincial health authority, defended its emergency department procedures:
“With respect to policy, staff in the adult emergency department do not routinely call next of kin or emergency contacts for every person who presents to the emergency department. The immediate priority of emergency department staff is to ensure that every patient receives the compassionate and timely care they need. Once staff were able to gather the necessary information, all efforts were made to make contact.”
The Winnipeg Police Service also commented, emphasizing that notifying next of kin remains a top priority, though challenges can sometimes delay the process.
“We strive to do so in person and without delay. However, there are times when challenges arise — such as difficulties confirming the person’s identity, limited information about family members, or geographic barriers. In these cases, we may need help from outside agencies or other jurisdictions,” the police stated.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation into the crash is still ongoing, adding that such traffic collision investigations can be complex, often involving scene reconstruction, video analysis, and witness interviews.
A Mother, Wife, and Daughter Remembered
Omotayo Samuel-Pepple is survived by her husband, three children, and mother, all of whom are struggling to come to terms with her sudden death. Her family continues to call for justice and transparency, hoping that the truth behind her tragic passing will soon come to light.
