Lorry knocks down pedestrian to death while crossing Ojota expressway

IBRAHIM QUADRI 

A yet-to-identified pedestrian has feared dead after being struck by a lorry while attempting to cross the Ojota Expressway on foot.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq made this known in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to Taofiq, preliminary findings indicated that a fatal collision occurred as the lorry was transiting the Ojota main carriageway, where it encountered the pedestrian in breach of crossing regulations.

He further disclosed that in a futile bid to flee the scene, the lorry driver lost vehicular control and subsequently collided with a Toyota Corolla, identified by registration number LND 905 HN.

LASTMA has issued a stern admonition to the public, particularly pedestrians, underscoring the imperative of strict adherence to the use of designated overhead pedestrian bridges.

LASTMA personnel had apprehended the fleeing driver and secured the vehicle. Both were handed over to operatives of the Ogudu Police Division for comprehensive investigation and appropriate legal action.

In line with prescribed procedures, the remains of the deceased were transferred to officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) by LASTMA operatives, ensuring due diligence and dignity in the handling of the casualty.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound condolences to the family of the deceased, lamenting the tragic and wholly preventable nature of the incident.

He reiterated the Authority’s steadfast commitment to protecting human life and fostering a culture of safety on Lagos roads.

Mr. Bakare-Oki emphasized the grave dangers associated with crossing high-speed expressways outside designated points, describing such behavior as both perilous and deeply irresponsible. “It is both reckless and unlawful to ignore the infrastructural provisions made for pedestrian safety,” he remarked.

“The Lagos State Government has invested significantly in pedestrian bridges, and it is incumbent upon all road users to utilize them conscientiously.”

He further warned that disregard for traffic safety protocols endangers not only the individual but also the broader public, and called for collective vigilance and compliance to prevent further needless tragedies.

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