The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended the driver of a Mercedes Benz truck following a fatal road traffic accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian along Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The tragic incident occurred over the weekend when the empty Mercedes Benz truck, with registration number KRD 466 XJ, reportedly suffered a mechanical brake failure while moving at high speed. The driver, in a desperate attempt to avert a collision, lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal accident.
Eyewitnesses said the crash happened along Simpson Street, inward Ikoyi, on the Osborne Expressway, near the traffic light junction. The truck, which was said to be travelling at an excessive velocity, suddenly developed a brake fault and veered off its path, striking an unsuspecting pedestrian walking along the roadside.
The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the pedestrian dead on the spot. The incident caused temporary panic among road users as vehicles came to a halt to avoid being caught in the wreckage.
In a swift and coordinated response, LASTMA officers stationed nearby immediately intervened to manage the situation. They quickly secured the accident scene to prevent secondary crashes and ensured the free flow of traffic around the busy Ikoyi corridor.
The driver of the ill-fated truck was apprehended on the spot by LASTMA personnel. He was later handed over to security operatives attached to the Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Police Divisions for further questioning and necessary legal action.
Police officers from the divisions subsequently evacuated the remains of the deceased pedestrian and transported the body to a mortuary in Ebute Metta. Authorities disclosed that the victim’s identity is yet to be officially confirmed, pending contact with the family.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sadness over the tragedy and extended his condolences to the bereaved family. He described the occurrence as both painful and preventable.
Bakare-Oki noted that the accident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of regular vehicle maintenance and inspection, particularly for heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles operating within Lagos State.
He advised all motorists, especially truck drivers and fleet operators, to carry out comprehensive mechanical checks on their vehicles before embarking on any journey, whether within or outside the state. He stressed that special attention must always be given to the braking system and other vital components.
The General Manager lamented the growing trend of mechanical negligence among vehicle owners, warning that poor maintenance culture remains one of the leading causes of avoidable road traffic crashes and fatalities across the metropolis.
While commending the professionalism and swift response of LASTMA officers and the police, Bakare-Oki reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining orderly traffic flow throughout Lagos.
He assured Lagosians that LASTMA would continue to work closely with other relevant agencies to enforce strict compliance with vehicle roadworthiness standards and enhance public awareness campaigns on traffic safety.
According to him, the agency’s ongoing collaboration with haulage associations, transport unions, and fleet operators will focus on promoting responsible driving habits and the culture of preventive maintenance.
Bakare-Oki, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, once again extended heartfelt sympathies to the family of the deceased. He urged all road users to embrace caution, patience, and discipline while on the road, emphasizing that road safety is a shared civic responsibility and that strict adherence to traffic regulations is the surest way to safeguard lives and property.
