Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
A tragic accident struck the Ikoyi axis of Lagos over the weekend after a Mercedes Benz truck, with registration number KRD 466 XJ, reportedly lost its brakes at high speed, fatally crushing a pedestrian along Simpson Street, inward Ikoyi, near the Osborne Expressway Traffic Light Junction.
According to reports from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the truck, which was travelling at a dangerously high speed, suffered a sudden mechanical brake failure. In a desperate attempt to avoid crashing into other vehicles ahead, the driver lost control, veered off the road, and struck an unsuspecting pedestrian walking by the roadside. The victim died instantly.
LASTMA officials swiftly arrived at the scene, securing the area and preventing further accidents. The driver of the truck was immediately apprehended and handed over to security operatives from the Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Police Divisions for interrogation and further legal action.
Police officers later evacuated the deceased’s body to a mortuary in Ebute Metta, pending identification by family members.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound sorrow and extended condolences to the victim’s family, describing the tragedy as “heartbreaking and entirely preventable.”
He stressed that the accident highlights the urgent need for regular vehicle inspection and maintenance, especially for heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles operating within Lagos. Bakare-Oki urged all motorists — particularly truck drivers and fleet operators — to conduct comprehensive mechanical checks, with special attention to braking systems, before setting out on any journey.
He lamented the growing culture of negligence among some drivers, noting that poor vehicle maintenance remains one of the leading causes of road fatalities across Lagos.
While commending the professionalism and quick response of LASTMA personnel and the police, Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring traffic discipline throughout the state.
He assured Lagosians that LASTMA, in collaboration with relevant agencies, will continue to enforce strict vehicle roadworthiness regulations and expand public enlightenment campaigns aimed at improving safety awareness among commercial drivers, haulage operators, and transport unions.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority once again extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family,” Bakare-Oki said. “We urge all road users to exercise caution, discipline, and vigilance. Road safety is a shared responsibility — and strict adherence to traffic rules remains the surest way to protect lives and property.”
The statement was made known by Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA.
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