A truck driver has been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) after allegedly crushing a pedestrian to death 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 accident occurred over the weekend when LASTMA officials apprehended the driver of an empty Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number KRD 466 XJ after 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 quickly arrived at the scene, cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents, and restored normal traffic flow.
The driver was later handed over to the police at Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Divisions for interrogation and prosecution.
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 incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and stressed the importance of routine vehicle inspection, especially for heavy-duty trucks.
He warned that many road tragedies could be avoided through strict adherence to mechanical safety standards, particularly the braking system.