An elderly woman has been killed by a drunk driver in the Almaroof, inward Pleasure area of Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the driver’s arrest
The drunk driver was said to have been speeding in his white Pathfinder Jeep (registration number JJJ 118 HX).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the motorist, who was reportedly heavily under the influence of alcohol, was driving at a perilously high speed when he lost control of the vehicle following a brake failure.
The vehicle veered off course and violently rammed into the unsuspecting woman who was innocently walking along the roadside. The impact was catastrophic, resulting in her instantaneous demise.
Swift-response operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) arrived promptly at the scene and, exhibiting commendable professionalism, apprehended the fleeing driver before he could abscond. The officers swiftly cordoned off the accident area to forestall secondary collisions and ensure the seamless flow of vehicular movement.
The Agency’s personnel immediately notified officers of the Ile-Epo Police Division, who responded with alacrity, providing security reinforcement and assuming control of the subsequent investigation.
The severely damaged vehicle was thereafter towed from the scene and duly handed over to the Police for detailed examination and forensic analysis by LASTMA.
Through the mobile device retrieved from the deceased, LASTMA officers were able to contact and notify her family members of the tragic incident.
Reacting with deep consternation, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, decried the alarming frequency of fatal traffic incidents arising from the recklessness of intoxicated drivers and the mechanical negligence of unfit vehicles plying Lagos roads.
Mr Bakare-Oki sternly reiterated that such egregious acts of indiscipline and moral decay would no longer be tolerated within the Lagos metropolis, emphasising that individuals whose actions endanger the sanctity of human life will be made to bear the full weight of the law.
He further charged law enforcement agencies to conduct an expeditious and exhaustive investigation into the matter and to ensure that the errant driver faces appropriate legal prosecution in accordance with extant traffic and criminal statutes of the State.
“The sanctity of human life is inviolable. The continued slaughter of innocent citizens through sheer recklessness and moral irresponsibility is intolerable. Every motorist must imbibe discipline, sobriety, and an abiding respect for human life while navigating our roads.”
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all road users through sustained enforcement, public enlightenment, and strategic collaboration with relevant security agencies to ensure safety, orderliness, and sanity across the State’s road networks.
