A yet-to-be-identified commercial tricycle rider, tragically lost his life on Tuesday in a crash at the top of Egbe Bridge in the Ikoyun area of Lagos State.
Spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Taofiq Adebayo, mentioned that the accident occurred when a Toyota Venza with registration number GWA 659 RD tried to overtake another vehicle while on the bridge.
In doing so, the Venza collided head-on with the tricycle bearing the number plate EPE 245 QM, which was coming from the opposite direction.
Adebayo explained that the force of the collision instantly killed the tricycle operator, while two passengers suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures.
“Preliminary findings by security operatives indicate that the Toyota Venza, advancing from the Ejigbo area, in a perilously ill-judged attempt to overtake another vehicle atop the bridge, careened into the trajectory of an oncoming tricycle en route from Ikotun. The ensuing violent collision claimed the life of the tricycle operator instantaneously, whilst two passengers, one male and one female, sustained grievous bodily harm, including multiple fractures,” the statement partly read.
Officials from LASTMA swiftly rescued the injured passengers and handed them over to the police from Ikotun Division, who then transferred them to the General Hospital in Isolo for medical attention.
The driver of the Toyota Venza reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash, prompting a police manhunt to apprehend him.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured passengers a speedy recovery.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to road safety, Bakare-Oki urged all drivers to exercise extreme caution and ensure the road is clear before attempting to overtake, especially on bridges and elevated roads where visibility and control are limited.
He added that the tragic incident is a stark reminder of the deadly outcomes caused by impatience and reckless disregard for traffic laws.
“It is imperative that all road users cultivate discipline, foresight, and an uncompromising adherence to safety protocols to avert needless tragedies on our roads,” the statement stated.