Driver Dies As SUV Somersaults Multiple Times On Lagos Expressway
Driver Dies As SUV Somersaults Multiple Times On Lagos Expressway
A driver was killed in the early hours of Saturday after a Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) lost control and somersaulted several times along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos State.
The fatal lone crash occurred at Charity Bus Stop, inward Iyana Isolo, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The agency said the driver died on the spot after the vehicle overturned repeatedly before coming to a halt, trapping him inside the wreckage.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA said emergency responders from the agency and the Nigeria Police Force swiftly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue and recovery operations.
According to the statement, LASTMA personnel who were carrying out routine traffic monitoring duties around the Iyana Isolo axis responded immediately after receiving reports of the accident.
The agency added that its officials, in collaboration with officers of the Mosafejo Police Division, successfully recovered the victim’s body from the wrecked vehicle while ensuring smooth traffic flow to prevent further incidents along the route.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle involved in the incident suddenly lost control, causing it to overturn multiple times before coming to a devastating halt,” the statement said.
“The sheer magnitude of the impact led to the instantaneous death of the driver, whose body became trapped within the severely mangled remains of the vehicle.”
Following the recovery operation, officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased to a public mortuary in accordance with established public health and statutory procedures.
The damaged vehicle was later handed over to officers of the Mosafejo Police Division for further investigation.
Authorities said investigations have commenced to determine the immediate and underlying causes of the crash.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists to exercise greater caution while driving, especially during late-night and early-morning hours.
He warned against speeding, reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and other traffic violations that frequently contribute to fatal road accidents.
“Motorists are strongly urged to eschew reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, excessive speeding and every form of traffic infraction capable of precipitating avoidable tragedies on our roads,” he said.
“The sanctity and preservation of human life must remain paramount in the conduct of every road user. No journey is so urgent as to justify compromising safety.”
The incident has renewed concerns about road safety on major highways across Lagos, where authorities have repeatedly cautioned motorists against excessive speed and careless driving.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to traffic management, emergency response and collaboration with relevant agencies to enhance the safety of road users across the state.
