Operatives of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) have disclosed that a driver apprehended for driving in a direction prohibited by Law (One-way) today, Tuesday, 3 October, 2023 killed a tricyle operator, pregnant woman and injured 2 School Children around Okota axis of the State.
Traffic Officer Hassan Kehinde of Zone 27, Okota who led the LASTMA patrol team disclosed that a driver of a blue TOYOTA Sienna bus (AKD 944 HN) was apprehended for driving against traffic (One-way) around Ago Palace Way, Lagos.
He disclosed further that a Police man attached with the patrol team volunteered to escort the apprehended vehicle to LASTMA office for proper booking.
“On their way, and in an attempt by the driver to escape, he diverted into Bayo Oyewale Street by Ago round-about and rammed into a fully loaded tricycle.
“While the tricycle operator died instantly, the pregnant woman later died at the Hospital while the 2 injured School Children were currently, under Intensive Care Unit, receiving medical attention,” LASTMA Kehinde further added.
The escort Police man in the contravened vehicle equally sustained various degrees of injury as a result of the fatal auto crash.
LASTMA Kehinde confirmed that the incident sparked off protest as irate mob descended on the escort Police Officer but with the timely intervention of a team of Police men from Ago/ Okota/Ilasa Police Stations saved the Police man from being lynched.
LASTMA yard was invaded and valuable items vandalized including vehicles within the premises.
“It is note worthy to mention that in an attempt to escape, the driver of the Sienna car lost control as a result of reckless driving which eventually resulted into the fatal accident”
The management of the agency commiserate with the families of the deceased and assured that thorough investigation will be carried out to determine the immediate and remote cause of the accident, and that justice will be served appropriately,” a statement by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA said.
