The incident occurred on Simpson Street, near the Traffic Light Junction on Osborne Expressway, when the truck, reportedly traveling at high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure.
Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) over the weekend apprehended the driver of an empty Mercedes-Benz truck, with registration number KRD 466 XJ, following a fatal road accident along Osborne Road, Ikoyi, which claimed the life of a pedestrian.
The incident occurred on Simpson Street, near the Traffic Light Junction on Osborne Expressway, when the truck, reportedly traveling at high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure.
In a desperate attempt to avoid colliding with vehicles ahead, the driver lost control, striking a pedestrian walking along the roadside. The victim died instantly at the scene.
LASTMA officers responded promptly, securing the area to prevent further accidents and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, Adebayo Taofiq, its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, said in a statement on Sunday.
The truck driver was apprehended on the spot and handed over to security operatives from the Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Police Divisions for questioning and further legal proceedings.
Police officers evacuated the victim’s remains to a mortuary in Ebute Metta, pending identification by family members.
In the statement, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the accident as “tragic and entirely preventable” and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
He emphasised the importance of regular vehicle inspections and maintenance, particularly for heavy-duty trucks, to prevent such avoidable fatalities.
He further lamented that mechanical negligence and poor vehicle maintenance culture remain among the primary causes of avoidable road traffic fatalities across the metropolis.
He urged all motorists, especially truck drivers and fleet operators, to conduct comprehensive mechanical checks, with particular attention to braking systems, before embarking on any journey.
Mr. Bakare-Oki also commended the swift coordination between LASTMA operatives and security agencies and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensuring road safety.
He assured the public that LASTMA will continue to enforce vehicle roadworthiness regulations and conduct public enlightenment campaigns targeting commercial drivers and transport unions to enhance safety awareness.
The Authority reiterated its condolences to the family of the deceased and urged all road users to exercise caution, discipline, and vigilance, noting that road safety is a shared civic responsibility.
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