Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a road traffic incident involving a suspected drunk driver at Ebute-Ero inward NEPA, Ebute-Ero, Apongbon, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
The incident was confirmed in a statement by Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq.
Preliminary findings revealed that a male motorist, suspected to be heavily intoxicated, was driving a Honda Jeep with registration number FKJ 562 JF at an excessive and uncontrollable speed when he rammed into the rear of a moving Scania truck while descending the bridge.
The impact of the collision left the driver critically trapped inside the severely mangled vehicle, creating an immediate life-threatening situation.
In a swift response, LASTMA rescue officers mobilised to the scene and carried out an emergency extraction operation. The injured driver was successfully rescued and handed over to security operatives before being conveyed to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical attention.
To prevent secondary crashes and ensure the safety of other road users, LASTMA officers secured and cordoned off the accident scene while managing traffic flow along the affected corridor.
Officers of the Ebute-Ero Police Division provided security support throughout the rescue, traffic control and recovery operations, ensuring a coordinated intervention.
Following the rescue, LASTMA’s recovery team evacuated both accidented vehicles from the roadway and handed them over to security authorities for further investigation and necessary legal procedures.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed concern over what he described as the avoidable nature of the crash, while wishing the injured driver a speedy recovery.
Giwa condemned the reckless behaviour that led to the incident, reiterating the Lagos State Government’s warnings against driving under the influence of alcohol.
He stressed that drinking and driving remains one of the deadliest forms of road indiscipline, noting that such behaviour endangers not only the driver but also other road users.
Giwa reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to intensify enforcement of traffic laws and prioritise the safety of lives and property across Lagos State.
The statement described the crash as a reminder of the dangers of alcohol-impaired driving.
“This unfortunate incident could have resulted in loss of lives. Driving under the influence of alcohol severely impairs judgement, reaction time and control, making accidents inevitable. LASTMA will continue its aggressive public enlightenment and enforcement campaigns to ensure motorists understand that drinking and driving is a deadly combination that will not be tolerated on Lagos roads,” the statement added.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority once again urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, exercise patience and responsibility behind the wheel, and abstain from alcohol consumption before driving, warning that drinking and driving kills.
