Dare Babalola
A one-way Toyota Highlander has collided with a commercial minibus (Korope), rendering the driver unconscious in the Ikeja part of Lagos State on Monday.
This was made known in a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs for LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, “Investigations revealed that the Highlander Jeep driver with registration number SMK 343 JV, while speeding traversed a prohibited one-way corridor, violently rammed into the oncoming commercial mini-bus registration number SMK 343 JV.
“The result of the devastating impact left the mini-bus driver unconscious and both vehicles severely damaged. Operatives of LASTMA who arrived at the scene within minutes, promptly initiated emergency rescue efforts.’’
He said that LASTMA officers extricated the unconscious minibus driver, administered immediate first aid, and ensured his urgent transfer to a medical facility for advanced treatment.
“To ensure proper handling of the incident, security operatives from the Alausa Police Division were invited by LASTMA officials to take over the case for a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The accidented Highlander Jeep was towed to the LASTMA Yard in Alausa, while the commercial minibus was transferred to the Alausa Police Division for further investigative procedures,” he said.
He said the accident scene was cordoned off to prevent secondary mishaps and facilitate seamless recovery operations and was reopened after successful evacuation of both vehicles and debris.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, denounced the reckless and life-threatening act of driving against traffic, describing it as a conscious act of lethal negligence tantamount to attempted manslaughter.
“Such behaviour will continue to attract the most severe sanctions under the law,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s uncompromising commitment to upholding traffic discipline and enforcing all traffic laws with absolute impartiality.
He said that habitual violators and reckless motorists would face the full wrath of the law, serving as deterrence to others.
