LASTMA intensifies crackdown on reckless truck drivers after fatal crash

Michael Olumide

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended the driver of a heavily-loaded bucket truck following a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of an innocent pedestrian and a motorcyclist along the Badagry Expressway.

The devastating incident occurred over the weekend at the Iyana-Iba Flyover inward the main gate of Lagos State University on the main carriageway of the ever-busy expressway.

In a statement signed by the LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, findings by security operatives, the fully-loaded bucket truck was reportedly travelling at high speed from Volkswagen inward Badagry when the driver knocked down a pedestrian.
Rather than stopping immediately after the fatal impact, the truck driver allegedly continued driving recklessly along the corridor, sparking outrage among eyewitnesses and other road users.

In a courageous but tragic attempt to stop the fleeing driver, a motorcyclist, accompanied by another sympathizer, reportedly pursued the truck in a bid to compel the driver to take responsibility for the incident.

However, the situation took a tragic turn when the truck driver allegedly rammed violently into the motorcycle during the chase, killing the motorcyclist instantly.

The accompanying sympathizer narrowly escaped death unharmed.

Operatives of the LASTMA Night Gang Surveillance and Monitoring Patrol Team, who were on routine all-night traffic monitoring and emergency response duty along the Badagry Expressway corridor, swiftly arrived at the scene to commence rescue and evacuation operations.

LASTMA officials painstakingly evacuated the remains of the deceased motorcyclist, whose body was trapped beneath the front tyre of the bucket truck.

The truck driver was immediately apprehended by vigilant LASTMA operatives and handed over to security personnel attached to the PPL Police Post, Okokomaiko, alongside officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Accident and Emergency Response Team for further investigations and legal procedures.

While FRSC officials evacuated the corpse of the deceased motorcyclist, the remains of the pedestrian earlier killed by the truck, were released to grieving family members who arrived at the scene after being informed of the tragedy.
Authorities also evacuated the heavily-loaded bucket truck and the badly damaged motorcycle to the PPL Police Post, Okokomaiko, pending the conclusion of investigations into the fatal accident.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

He described the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving, especially among articulated vehicle operators and truck drivers who frequently violate traffic regulations and safety protocols on major highways.

Bakare-Oki warned truck drivers and other road users to strictly adhere to regulated speed limits and exercise maximum caution during both daytime and night operations to prevent avoidable loss of lives on Lagos roads.

The LASTMA boss further reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained surveillance, traffic enforcement, emergency rescue operations and collaboration with relevant security and safety agencies aimed at improving road safety across Lagos State.