A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, claiming the life of a driver when his white Mazda bus collided with a truck near Car Park C in the Lotto area.
The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transporting bags of potatoes to Lagos when the fatal crash took place.
The PUNCH reported that an eyewitnesses at the scene suggested the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing him to lose control of the bus and slam into the back of a moving truck. It is believed that fatigue and speed played a role in the accident.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Enforcement and Compliance Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the details in a statement to the press.
He explained that the driver was likely traveling at high speed and may have been battling fatigue, which led to the crash.
Akinbiyi said, “Eyewitness accounts indicate that the driver was speeding and most likely dozed off. The Mazda bus, fully loaded with potatoes, was en route to Lagos for early morning delivery. Sadly, he lost control and rammed into a moving Dangote truck from behind. The driver died on the spot, having been trapped in the wreckage before he was eventually extricated.”
First responders struggled to free the deceased from the crushed bus, highlighting the severity of the crash.
The wreckage obstructed traffic for several hours, causing delays for commuters traveling along the busy expressway.
While extending his sympathies to the victim’s family, Akinbiyi emphasized the dangers posed by nighttime driving, especially when combined with excessive speed and driver fatigue.
“We once again admonish drivers to avoid night travels and excessive speeding, as these contribute to avoidable road fatalities,” he stated.
This incident underscores the urgent need for drivers to adhere to road safety measures and for authorities to continue raising awareness about the risks of fatigue and speeding on highways like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which is notorious for heavy traffic and frequent accidents.
