The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Monday confirmed the death of three members of the same family in a multi-vehicle crash at Secretariat inward Otedola Bridge on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The accident, which occurred in the early hours, also left two other persons critically injured.
LASTMA said the accident involved an Audi, a Toyota Camry, and a Toyota Corolla, all of which were hit in a chain-reaction collision reportedly caused by a speeding, heavily loaded truck. Preliminary investigations showed that the truck rammed into one of the vehicles from the rear, causing it to lose control and crash into two others.
The agency said the truck driver fled the scene with his vehicle immediately after the collision, abandoning the victims and evading arrest. Authorities described the hit-and-run behaviour as disturbing and irresponsible.
LASTMA personnel were said to have arrived promptly at the scene and worked with other emergency responders to rescue survivors and recover the deceased. Officials confirmed that two injured victims trapped inside the wreckage were extricated and handed over to the Lagos Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for urgent medical treatment.
The bodies of the deceased family—father, mother and child—were recovered from one of the damaged vehicles. LASTMA said the remains were later transferred to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for evacuation.
The injured survivors were taken to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre at the Toll Gate for further medical attention. Officials did not immediately disclose their identities but said they remained in critical condition.
Police officers from the Isheri Olowora Division were deployed to secure the scene and assist rescue operations. LASTMA later cleared the wrecked vehicles from the expressway to prevent secondary crashes and restore traffic flow.
Other agencies involved in the response included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), SEHMU, LASAMBUS and the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service. LASTMA described the coordinated intervention as effective and timely.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the incident and described the loss of an entire family as tragic and irreplaceable. He prayed for the bereaved relatives and wished the injured victims a quick recovery.
Bakare-Oki warned motorists, especially truck drivers, against speeding on highways. He said excessive speed remained a major contributor to fatal crashes and assured the public that LASTMA would continue to strengthen surveillance, enforce traffic laws and work with other agencies to prevent similar incidents.