Reckless trailer driver hits LASTMA officer
LASTMA
Abdullateef Fowewe
An officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been injured following the reckless driving of a fully loaded trailer.
The LASTMA officer was on his way for official duties when a trailer, registered in Bauchi State, travelling from Agidingbi by Oba Ogunji Road towards Omole Junction in the Ogba corridor. The driver, speeding at an excessively high rate, lost control of the vehicle, leading to a catastrophic collision.
The accident inflicted severe trauma on the LASTMA officer, leading to a grievous fracture of his right leg and hand.
This was made known in a statement by the LASTMA Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Wednesday.
The statement disclosed that the driver of the trailer fled the scene of the accident, but was arrested following quick action of security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, in coordination with vigilant LASTMA officials.
The statement reads, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has unequivocally condemned the egregious recklessness of a fully loaded trailer driver, whose imprudent speeding and subsequent loss of vehicular control culminated in a devastating accident at the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos.
“The tragic incident transpired while the LASTMA officer was en route to commence his afternoon duty, underscoring the perilous consequences of careless driving on public roads.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the ill-fated trailer, bearing Bauchi State registration number KTG 33 ZZ, originated from Agidingbi by Oba Ogunji Road en route to Omole Junction in the Ogba corridor when the driver, operating at an alarmingly high velocity, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic collision.
“The sheer impact of the crash inflicted severe trauma on the LASTMA officer, leading to a grievous fracture of his right leg and hand. Upon emergency medical assessment at the Surgical Emergency Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), attending specialists determined that the extent of the injuries necessitated an immediate amputation of his right leg.
“In a brazen attempt to evade justice, the culpable trailer driver absconded from the scene. However, through the concerted efforts of security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, in collaboration with vigilant LASTMA officials, he was swiftly apprehended.”
Reacting to the tragic occurrence, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, promptly visited the hospitalised officer at LASUTH, vehemently condemning the incident and underscoring that such a calamity could have been averted had the driver exercised due diligence and adhered to fundamental road safety protocols.
“He admonished trailer and truck operators, alongside all motorists, to uphold a heightened sense of safety consciousness, stressing the inestimable value of human life,” the statement added.
