A pedestrian lost his life over the weekend after being hit by a Mercedes Benz truck that suffered brake failure along Osborne Road in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the tragic incident occurred when the empty truck, with registration number KRD 466 XJ, experienced a mechanical brake failure while travelling at high speed inward Ikoyi.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the development in a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.
Bakare-Oki said the accident happened around Simpson Street by the Osborne Traffic Light Junction when the driver, in an attempt to avoid crashing into vehicles ahead, lost control of the truck, veered off the road, and rammed into a pedestrian walking along the roadside.
“It was a most unfortunate and entirely preventable tragedy. The truck was said to have been moving at an excessive speed when its brakes failed, leading to the loss of control and the death of an innocent pedestrian,” Bakare-Oki said.
LASTMA operatives were said to have quickly moved to the scene to manage traffic, prevent further accidents, and ensure order. The driver was arrested on the spot and later handed over to officers from the Dolphin Estate and Ikoyi Police Divisions for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The remains of the deceased were evacuated by police officers and taken to a mortuary in Ebute Metta pending formal identification by relatives.
Bakare-Oki, who extended condolences to the victim’s family, emphasized the importance of routine vehicle maintenance, particularly for heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles operating within Lagos and beyond.
“This sad incident serves as a wake-up call to all motorists, especially truck drivers and fleet operators. They must ensure proper mechanical checks before setting out on any trip — with special attention to the braking system,” he said.
He lamented that poor vehicle maintenance and mechanical negligence remain major causes of fatal road crashes across the state.
While commending the swift response of LASTMA officials and other security agencies at the scene, Bakare-Oki reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring road safety and enforcing vehicle roadworthiness regulations.
“We will continue to work with relevant agencies to promote strict adherence to traffic laws and intensify awareness campaigns among commercial drivers and haulage operators,” he added.
LASTMA expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and urged all road users to remain cautious, disciplined, and alert while on the road.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Compliance with traffic regulations is the surest way to protect lives and property on our roads,” Bakare-Oki said.
