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By Tracy Moses
A father, mother, and their child lost their lives in a devastating accident on Wednesday at Secretariat, inward Otedola Bridge along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident through a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq.
Taofiq described the crash as a “catastrophic multi-vehicle collision” that occurred in the early hours of the day. He said three members of a single family were killed instantly, while two other individuals sustained life-threatening injuries, highlighting the severe consequences of reckless driving.
According to preliminary investigations, the accident involved three vehicles, a heavily loaded truck, an Audi, a Toyota Camry, and a Toyota Corolla. The collision reportedly began when the speeding truck rammed into one of the cars from behind. The force of the impact caused the car to lose control, colliding with two other vehicles and triggering the fatal chain-reaction crash.
In a disturbing turn, the truck driver fled the scene immediately, abandoning the vehicle and the victims.
LASTMA operatives were quick to respond, working alongside other emergency agencies to rescue survivors and recover the deceased. Two critically injured victims trapped in the wreckage were carefully extricated and rushed to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre, Toll-Gate, via the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
The bodies of the three deceased family members were recovered and handed over to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for proper evacuation. Security personnel from the Isheri Olowora Police Division also provided operational support while LASTMA cleared the accident site to prevent further collisions.
The multi-agency response included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASAMBUS, SEHMU, and the Lagos Fire & Rescue Service, underscoring coordinated efforts to save lives and ensure traffic safety.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the “irreplaceable loss of an entire family.” He offered prayers for the bereaved relatives and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured victims, while commending the rapid response of emergency personnel.
Bakare-Oki reiterated warnings against reckless speeding, particularly by drivers of heavily loaded trucks, emphasizing that excessive speed remains a major cause of road fatalities. He urged motorists to exercise caution, adhere to traffic regulations, and practice defensive driving.
He further assured Lagos residents that LASTMA is committed to strengthening traffic surveillance, enforcing road safety rules, and working closely with emergency agencies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.