Driver killed as SUV somersaults on Oshodi-Apapa expressway

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of a driver following a lone vehicle accident on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.

The agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the crash occurred at Charity Bus Stop inward Iyana Isolo in the early hours of the day.

According to Bakare-Oki, LASTMA officials, working alongside officers of the Nigeria Police Force, swiftly responded to the scene and carried out rescue and recovery operations.

He said preliminary findings indicated that the Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) involved in the accident suddenly lost control before overturning several times and eventually coming to a stop.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) involved, suddenly lost control and overturned multiple times before coming to a halt.

“The impact led to the immediate death of the driver, whose body was trapped in the wreckage.

“LASTMA officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring duty in the Iyana Isolo axis, responded promptly to the emergency,” Bakare-Oki said.

The LASTMA boss explained that the agency’s personnel, in collaboration with officers from the Mosafejo Police Division, successfully extricated the deceased from the wrecked vehicle while ensuring the free flow of traffic to prevent secondary accidents.

Bakare-Oki further stated that officials of the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit evacuated the driver’s remains and deposited them at a public mortuary in accordance with health and safety regulations.

He added that the damaged vehicle had been handed over to the police for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“The wrecked vehicle was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigations into the cause of the crash,” he said.

Expressing concern over the incident, Bakare-Oki urged motorists to remain vigilant and strictly obey traffic rules, particularly during late-night and early-morning journeys.

He cautioned drivers against reckless driving, excessive speeding and dangerous overtaking, stressing that the protection of lives should remain the foremost priority of all road users.

Bakare-Oki emphasised that no journey is worth risking lives through unsafe driving practices.