The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reported the death of a commercial driver in a motor crash that occurred on Tuesday along the Lagos-Apapa Expressway. In a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, the accident involved a commercial minibus and a Toyota Tundra. The driver of the minibus succumbed to injuries sustained during the collision.
Preliminary Investigations
According to Mr Taofiq, preliminary investigations conducted by security personnel at the scene indicated that the commercial minibus driver suffered severe injuries and died instantly due to the force of the impact. LASTMA officials, who were conducting routine patrols in the vicinity, responded swiftly to the incident. They coordinated emergency operations, secured the crash site, and managed traffic to reduce disruption along the busy expressway.
Body Released to Family
The statement further noted that the body of the deceased driver was handed over to his family at the scene. The wrecked vehicles were later removed from the road and transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for a comprehensive investigation. Mr Taofiq explained that the vehicles were handed over to the police to facilitate an exhaustive inquiry into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash, with the aim of determining liability and initiating any necessary legal proceedings.
Despite the disruption caused by the accident, the quick intervention of LASTMA personnel helped restore the normal flow of traffic on the affected section of the expressway within a short period.
Renewed Concerns Over Road Safety
This latest incident adds to a series of fatal crashes recorded on major highways in Lagos in recent months. It has renewed concerns about road safety and motorists’ adherence to traffic regulations, despite ongoing enforcement efforts by traffic management authorities.
LASTMA General Manager's Reaction
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased. He urged motorists, particularly commercial drivers, to obey traffic rules and exercise greater caution on the roads. The statement quoted him as conveying heartfelt sympathies and admonishing drivers to maintain heightened caution, comply with existing traffic regulations, and cultivate a culture of responsible driving at all times.
