The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended the driver of a heavily-loaded bucket truck following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of a pedestrian and a motorcyclist along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos.
The fatal incident occurred over the weekend at the Iyana-Iba Flyover inward the main gate of Lagos State University on the main carriageway of the expressway.
According to preliminary investigations, the fully-loaded truck was reportedly travelling at high speed from Volkswagen inward Badagry when it struck and killed a pedestrian. Authorities said the driver failed to stop after the initial impact and continued driving along the corridor.
In an attempt to stop the fleeing driver, a motorcyclist and another sympathiser reportedly pursued the truck. However, the truck driver allegedly rammed into the motorcycle during the chase, killing the motorcyclist instantly, while the second rider escaped unhurt.
Operatives of the LASTMA Night Gang Surveillance and Monitoring Patrol Team, who were on routine overnight monitoring and emergency response duties along the Badagry Expressway, swiftly responded to the incident.
The officials evacuated the body of the deceased motorcyclist, which was trapped beneath the front tyre of the truck, and apprehended the driver.
LASTMA said the suspect was subsequently handed over to security operatives attached to the PPL Police Post, Okokomaiko, alongside officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Accident and Emergency Response Team for further investigation and legal action.
While FRSC officials evacuated the remains of the motorcyclist, the body of the pedestrian was later released to relatives who arrived at the scene after being informed of the incident.
The damaged motorcycle and the loaded bucket truck involved in the accident were also moved to the PPL Police Post, Okokomaiko, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased victims.
He described the tragedy as a painful reminder of the dangers of reckless driving, particularly among articulated-vehicle operators and truck drivers who violate traffic regulations on major highways.
Bakare-Oki urged truck drivers and other motorists to obey speed limits and exercise caution at all times to prevent avoidable loss of lives on Lagos roads.
He also reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to intensified traffic surveillance, enforcement operations, emergency rescue interventions, and collaboration with relevant safety and security agencies to improve road safety across the state.
