Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have apprehended the driver of a Mercedes Benz truck involved in a fatal road accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian along Osborne Expressway, inward Ikoyi.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend at Simpson Street by the Traffic Light Junction, involved an empty truck with registration number KRD 466 XJ, which reportedly suffered a brake failure while speeding.
According to eyewitness accounts, the driver, in a desperate attempt to avoid colliding with vehicles ahead, lost control of the truck and veered off the road, tragically hitting a pedestrian who was walking by the roadside.
The victim died instantly.In a swift response, LASTMA officers promptly secured the accident scene to prevent secondary incidents and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic within the area.
The driver of the truck was immediately apprehended by LASTMA officials and handed over to policemen from the Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Police Divisions for further investigation.
Police officers subsequently evacuated the deceased’s remains to a mortuary in Ebute Metta, pending formal identification by family members.
Reacting to the tragic incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended condolences to the victim’s family, describing the occurrence as “tragic and completely avoidable.”
He emphasized that the accident underscores the need for regular vehicular inspection and preventive maintenance, particularly among heavy-duty and articulated vehicle operators.
The LASTMA boss commended the swift and coordinated efforts of his officers and collaborating security agencies, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to ensuring safe and orderly traffic management across the state.
He assured the public that LASTMA would continue to enforce strict compliance with roadworthiness regulations and intensify public sensitization campaigns targeting truck drivers, haulage operators, and transport unions to foster greater safety awareness.“Road safety is a shared civic responsibility,”Adebayo quoted Bakare-Oki as saying.
“We urge all motorists to exercise discipline, caution, and vigilance while driving. Adherence to traffic regulations remains the surest way to protect lives and property.”
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority also extended its sympathies to the bereaved family, reiterating its resolve to prevent avoidable road tragedies through enhanced enforcement and public enlightenment.
