17 hours ago
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Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, have arrested a truck driver for allegedly crushing a pedestrian to death after his vehicle, reportedly moving at high speed, suffered brake failure in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
The agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing it as a tragic case of mechanical failure and reckless driving.
According to the statement, the incident occurred over the weekend when LASTMA officials apprehended the driver of an empty Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number KRD 466 XJ following a fatal crash along Simpson Street, inward Ikoyi, on Osborne Expressway by the Traffic Light Junction.
Mr Adebayo explained that the truck, while travelling at an excessive speed, suffered a sudden brake malfunction. In a desperate attempt to avoid colliding with vehicles ahead, the driver lost control, veered off the road, and rammed into a pedestrian walking along the roadside, killing the victim instantly.
LASTMA operatives swiftly moved to the scene, cordoning off the area to prevent secondary accidents and restore free vehicular movement.
The driver, now in police custody at Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Divisions, is undergoing interrogation and will face legal proceedings.
It was gathered that the body of the deceased has been deposited at a mortuary in Ebute Metta pending identification by family members.
Reacting to the development, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and stressed the importance of regular vehicle inspection and maintenance, especially for heavy-duty trucks.
He warned that many road tragedies could be prevented through strict compliance with mechanical safety standards, particularly the braking system, before embarking on any journey.
Truck driver arrested after crushing pedestrian to death in Lagos
